I have always loved date bars, and this recipe, with a crisp, buttery shortbread crust, is an excellent option. If you like buttery shortbread and dates, you will love these delicious date bars. The date mixture is spread over the baked shortbread crust. Buttery shortbread crumbs are sprinkled over the date filling and the bars are baked to perfection.
PrintDate Bars With Shortbread Crust
These incredible date bars are baked with a shortbread crust and buttery shortbread crumb topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 36 servings 1x
- Category: Bar Cookies, Dates
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces chopped dates
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup water
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick (4 ounces) butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Combine the dates, nuts, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and water in a medium saucepan. Place the pan over medium heat and bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Lightly butter a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan or spray the pan with baking spray.
- In a mixing bowl with electric mixer, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and egg. Mix until crumbly. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture and pat the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom or the prepared baking pan. Spoon date mixture evenly over the crust and spread gently to cover.
- Sprinkle evenly with the remaining 1 cup of crumbs.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until browned.
- Cool completely before cutting.
