Scrumptious healthy date bars

Calling all dates fans! Truly, when it comes to dates, isn’t everyone a fan?! OK, maybe not. They just may be a little too sickly for some, but I—especially since I started eschewing refined sugar rather strictly—love, love them. And if you’re not a fan, these scrumptious, vegan, gluten free, easy to make and play with, purely date-sweetened bars may just convert you. (Full disclosure, there’s actually some orange juice adding sweet tanginess as well, but you can swap it out for water.)

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As if it weren’t already clear enough, I geek out quite a bit on dates. A soft to bursting Medjool with a roasted pecan— it's like a heavenly slice of pecan pie. This past Christmas, I just discovered a variety of dates called Khidri that are AMAZING. Pure caramel and delightfully fancy. Dave got them for me as a Christmas present, because they are way too expensive as dates go for anything more than annual consumption.

Why am I waffling along about dates rather than the details of these bars? Maybe it’s somewhat confessional. A month or so ago, when brainstorming some potential dates recipes for Organic India, I sent an effusive email about them that sounded much like the preceding paragraph. In fact, maybe it was verbatim. I honestly don’t know, because I deleted the message thread after it came to my attention that it was forwarded (for practical purposes, as it included a list) to an entire team! When that fact innocently came to light, I blushed beet red even from the safe distance of our living room. Or, if we want to keep the dates theme going, I flushed the way one might when prematurely outing oneself as a bona fide weirdo on a blind date.

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Good news, I didn’t reel from embarrassment for long, unlike the way I still cringe recalling other old gaffes, no matter how insignificant, understandable, or forgivable. In this instance, I was being authentic. When that’s the case there should be no regrets, right? I like to think my extreme enthusiasm was overall appreciated, even if it did render some chuckles. Recognizing the difference in emotional response coming from blunders, missteps, or just general over-the-top behavior that are heartfelt as opposed to the feelings generated from trying too hard to squeeze into a mold that isn’t a fit… felt good.

That feeling—that quick rebound back to being ok thanks to authenticity—was so freeing. What’s a little momentary embarrassment when it comes linked with awareness of being simply, wholeheartedly, good-naturedly and unabashedly oneself? Nothing to apologize for. It took awhile to get here, but this is a good place. I think I’ll stay. xo


Vegan Date Bars
Yield: 16 squares

  • 2 cups chopped, pitted Medjool dates, divided

  • 2-3 Tablespoons water

  • 1/3 cup orange juice (or use extra water)

  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

  • 1 1/2 cup rolled oats

  • 1 cup quinoa or gluten-free flour blend

  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

  • pinch sea salt

  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 Tablespoon psyllium husk powder (optional)

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

 

  1. Combine 1 1/2 cups of the dates, water or orange juice, and orange zest in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil; cook, stirring regularly, 10- 12 minutes, or until achieving a jam-like consistency. Remove from burner.

  2. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

  3. In a food processor, combine remaining dates, oats, flour, salt, baking soda, psyllium and cinnamon. Pulse to combine. Pulse in oil and applesauce stir to form a crumbly mixture.

  4. Press half of the crumble mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread date paste evenly over base. Top with remaining crumble mixture.

  5. Bake for 25 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Cool completely before cutting and serving.