Dates....Mmmmmm....

One of my favorite bars during the Christmas season has always been Date Bars.  Not many people in my family share the sentiment so I am able to revel in my small pan of bars every year with just my step mom for competition help.  The wonderful thing about this recipe is that it takes very little time and effort on your part and you end up with a fabulous pan of yumminess to share with the family!


Vegan Date Bars

Filling:
3 c. chopped, pitted organic dates
1 c. unsweetened cider
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. organic fair trade brown cane sugar

Crust:
2 c. organic quick oats
1 c. organic flour
3/4 c. organic fair trade brown cane sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. vegan buttery spread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

*Glass cake pans work best for this recipe due to the stickiness of the filling

In a medium sized sauce pan, on medium heat simmer your dates, apple cider and vanilla together until dates are stirrable, add brown sugar.   Allow to boil for a minute or two so the sugar can help the mixture caramelize a bit.  Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl add oats, flour, brown sugar, soda, salt and cinnamon and stir together with a wooden spoon.  Cut your butter into 1 T. pats and toss them in the bowl with the dry ingredients.  With a pastry cutter or a fork, blend the butter into the dry ingredients until it is crumbly.  Spread 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of your pan.  Pour the date filling over the bottom crust, then sprinkle remaining crumble mixture over the top.

Bake for 30-40 minutes or until crumble top is golden brown.  Remove from oven to a cooling rack to cool.

These are SO decadent and the vanilla really pushes the date flavor front and center.  You COULD play around with this recipe, but I love it just the way it is.  Hope you do as well!