OATMEAL DATE & ORANGE BARS, Healthier Indulgence, Egg-free, Wheat-free option

A blast from the past

Oatmeal, Date & Orange Bars lol in
'These were very popular with our volunteers.  They were just the right side of sweet.  A superior flapjack!' Political Agent

These oatmeal and date bars were a favourite in school lunch boxes in Canada.  Because they're so easy to make and so good for you, they would follow kids through university, into early adulthood and eventually to parenthood.  

They're probably a bit unfashionable now but oats themselves have been labelled a wonder food, helping to lower cholesterol and maintain fibre levels. 

That said, the Oatmeal, Date & Orange Bars are an indulgence - dried fruit packs in a lot of sugar.  They do, though, give a good energy boost after intense physical activity.  Keep portions small; 67 got 32 portions (4 horizontal rows x 8 vertical rows) out of an 8x12 inch (20x30cm) tin.   

The bars will keep in an air-tight container for a week but frankly eating them on the day they are baked is an experience not to be missed. 

Cost: £3.50
Feeds: 24-32

Ingred: (67 used English cup measures)
  10.5-12oz/300-340g pitted dates, chopped coarsely
   1 c water, incl juice of 1 orange 

   1 tsp vanilla 
   2 tbsp - 1/3 cup sugar (opt)
   
   zest med orange

   1 1/2 cup rolled oats or Uber Granola
   1 1/2 cups plain flour (sifted); wheat or spelt is fine
   1/4 tsp salt
   3/4 tsp baking soda
   2/3-1 cup light brown sugar

   5 3/4 oz/165g butter, softened or vegan alternative

Method:

1. Pour boiling water over dates to remove preservatives; leave for 2 mins; drain
2. If necessary, remove pips and the tough stalk
3. Bring dates, water, orange juice, vanilla & sugar if using to the boil; turn down heat; simmer until mix is thick, gloopy and the dates have nearly broken down (maybe 10-15 mins, depending on how 'dry' the original dates are).  This step can be done a day in advance. 
4. Preheat oven to 350f/180c/170fan/gas4; line a 8x12 inch (20cmx30cm) tin with greaseproof paper
5. If butter isn't completely soft, zap it in the microwave on high at 20 sec intervals until it is, or pop it into the pre-heating oven for 2-3 mins
6. In a large bowl, blend dry ingred, making sure the sugar is lump free; stir in orange zest, distributing evenly
7. Add butter; rub or stir together as if you were making crumble but no butter lumps, please
8. Spread two thirds in the pan, levelling the top with the spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup
9. Add the dates, spreading as you go; level with a spatula
10. Scatter the final third of the oat mix over, taking special care with the edges; cover the dates as evenly as you can
11. Bake 30 mins or until beautifully browned; half-way through you may wish to bring the back of the pan to the front for even browning
12. Place on a cooling rack; wait half an hour then use a sharp knife to cut into fingers or squares

Tips:

• a lower-sugar, free of common wheat version is available at Lower-Sugar Oatmeal Date Bars
• buy the best dates you can afford; it's worth it
• A smallerbaking tin will give thicker bars and may take a little longer to cook
• If you have successfully cut down on sugar, these may taste too sweet; the recipe lists minimum and maximum amounts of sugar
• Replace one third of the sugar with dried unsweetened coconut or ground almonds

Comments:

'These were the most popular volunteers' treat. They were like a superior flapjack - just the right side of sweet.  I'd buy one of these every day.' Political Agent.

                                               Inspired by childhood memories & Michelle at All Recipes

                                                                     More 'bars' on Nav Bar: Recipes I/Baking ...

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This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.