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.