It’s kind of sad how much I enjoy going to the grocery store. Lately, I’ve had a lot of free time so I’ve been going like every day. I wish I was joking. Every time I go, I bring home another ingredient I just had to have or another can of black beans or bag of powdered sugar. Because, you know, I might run out and I live soo far from Kroger (5 whole minutes) and only go to the store once a month…yeah, right! I think I have a problem. Our cabinets are so full I told Jordan we couldn’t go to the store again for 2 weeks. I’ve made it 2 days so far =).
Even worse than Kroger is Sam’s. Because everything is in huge quantities, and did I mention we have a tiny kitchen?? Why yes, I do need 7 pounds of dried dates said no one ever ;). But suckers like me buy them anyway. Dried dates are a tasty snack but Jordan won’t touch them and it’s going to be pretty hard for me to eat them all before they get old. Solution? Find ways to incorporate them into baked goods like these oatmeal date bars, because Jordan will eat them baked into things. These bars were delicious and healthier than your average dessert since they have whole wheat flour, wheat germ, oats, canola oil instead of butter, and most of their sugar comes from the dates. You can even eat these bars for breakfast – Jordan did! =) Enjoy!
Oatmeal Date Bars
2 cups chopped and pitted dried dates (The no sugar added kind. Not the ones coated in sugar.)
1 1/4 cup pineapple juice
2 cups quick rolled oats
1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup canola oil
1. In a saucepan, combine dates and pineapple juice. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until dates are very soft. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, wheat germ, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a smaller bowl, combine honey and oil. Using a sieve, thoroughly drain the liquid from the cooked dates into the honey-oil mixture, stirring well to combine. In a separate bowl, mash dates until smooth.
4. Combine oat and honey mixtures, stirring to mix thoroughly.
5. Press two-thirds of this dough into a 9 x 9-inch cake pan. Spread mashed date filling over this, then gently and evenly pat remaining crumb mixture on top.
4. Bake 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes about 24 bars.
*adapted from Care2.com
