Orange Date Oat Crumble Bars (Print version)
Soft dates and orange fill these buttery oat bars with a smooth fruit layer.
# Ingredients:
Ingredients
01 -
250 g pitted dates, chopped
02 -
150 ml water
03 -
60 ml orange juice
04 -
1 tbsp finely grated orange zest
05 -
180 g plain flour
06 -
120 g rolled oats
07 -
100 g light brown sugar
08 -
150 g softened butter
09 -
½ tsp baking soda
10 -
¼ tsp salt
# Instructions:
01 -
Put dates, water and orange juice in a small saucepan. Simmer gently for 7–10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the dates soften and the liquid forms a thick paste. Mash with a fork, stir in orange zest and let cool while preparing the base.
02 -
Heat oven to 180°C / 350°F. Line a 20 cm square tin with baking paper, leaving handles above two sides.
03 -
Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Rub in softened butter until the mixture forms moist crumbs that hold together when squeezed.
04 -
Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the tin in an even layer. Spread the thick date filling on top, leaving a narrow border at the edge.
05 -
Scatter remaining oat crumbs over the dates and press very lightly so they adhere without flattening the topping completely.
06 -
Bake 25–30 minutes until the topping is golden and the edges firm. Cool in the tin for at least one hour, then lift out and cut into 12 bars. Cooling lets the date layer settle for cleaner cuts.
07 -
Keep cooled bars covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. Bring to room temperature before serving, or freeze in separated layers for longer storage.
# Good to know:
01 -
Includes 60 minutes resting or cooling time.