Date Bars from Vintage Recipe Box 400 are a delightful treat that combines dates’ rich, natural sweetness with the crunchy texture of almonds and oats. These bars are perfect for a quick snack or a dessert that feels both indulgent and wholesome. The combination of dates and nuts, sandwiched between layers of a buttery oat mixture, makes this recipe a timeless favorite.
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Date Bars
Food History
Dates have been a dessert staple for centuries, particularly in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Their natural sweetness and chewy texture make them ideal for baking. In the early 20th century, as dried fruits became more widely available in the United States, dates began appearing in a variety of American baked goods, including cakes, cookies, and bars.
The Date Bar, as we know it today, likely became popular during the mid-20th century. The combination of sweet dates and crunchy oats was a hit with home bakers looking for simple, satisfying desserts. The use of oats, in particular, ties this recipe to a time when people were becoming more aware of the nutritional benefits of whole grains.
Dive into deliciousness!
Discover the story behind your favorite treats in Dessert Bars: A Sweet Blend of History, Ingredients, and Recipes.
Timeline
- Ancient Times: Dates are cultivated and used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines.
- Early 20th Century: Dates become widely available in the United States, leading to their inclusion in various baked goods.
- Mid-20th Century: Date Bars gain popularity as a wholesome, homemade dessert.
Recipe Discussion
This Date Bars recipe starts with cooking chopped dates in lemonade with a bit of sugar and salt until the mixture thickens. The lemonade adds a unique tangy twist, balancing the sweetness of the dates. Once thickened, chopped almonds are added, providing a delightful crunch that complements the chewy texture of the dates.
The base and topping for these bars are made from a mixture of flour, quick-cooking oats, brown sugar, and butter. This oat mixture is crumbly and slightly sweet, making it a perfect contrast to the rich date filling. Half of the oat mixture is pressed into the bottom of a greased and floured 9-inch pan, creating a sturdy base. The date mixture is spread evenly over this base, and the remaining oat mixture is sprinkled on top.
Preparation Tips
- Date Mixture: Cook the dates, lemonade, sugar, and salt slowly, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens. This helps concentrate the flavors and ensures the dates soften properly.
- Oat Mixture: When cutting in the butter, ensure it is well combined with the flour and oats to create a crumbly texture. This will help the bars hold together better.
- Baking: Be sure to watch the bars as they bake, ensuring they become golden brown without overcooking, which can cause the oat topping to become too hard.
Serving Suggestions
- Tea Time Treat: These Date Bars are perfect for serving with a cup of tea or coffee as an afternoon snack.
- Lunchbox Addition: Pack a bar or two in a lunchbox for a sweet and filling midday treat.
- Dessert: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more indulgent dessert.
Recommended Products for Making Date Bars
The links below lead to top-rated products on Amazon—if you use our links, we can save more recipes.
- 9″ x 9″ Baking Pan: A high-quality, non-stick pan ensures even baking and easy removal of the bars.
- Pastry Cutter: Ideal for cutting in butter when making the oat topping.
- Silicone Spatula: Perfect for spreading the date mixture evenly over the base.
Sweet Alert!
October 14 is National Dessert Day, and December 4 is National Cookie Day—the perfect time to indulge!
View our Cookie Recipes and Dessert Recipes to celebrate!
A Treat for All Occasions
Date Bars are a classic, combining the rich sweetness of dates with the satisfying crunch of oats and nuts. This recipe is not only easy to make but also offers a delicious taste of nostalgia. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or just to satisfy a sweet tooth, these bars are sure to please. Explore more vintage recipes from Recipe Box 400 and bring a touch of the past into your kitchen today.
Vintage Recipe Box 400 comes to us from Chalfont, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
It is a large white metal box that measures 12” D x 5.5” W x 4” H and has a metal tag that says “American Home Menu Maker.” According to my research, the box was sold in multiple colors for $1 and included 212 “basic recipes” for an additional $.50. (See the image below, which is an order form to purchase the box.)
At this time, we do not know anything about the history of the box. We do show that this box came to us with another box, but at this time, we are not sure if the same person owned them or if the eBay seller grouped them.
View all the vintage recipes from Vintage Recipe Box 400. Click here to view all the Vintage Recipe Boxes we have published in our collection.
Date Bars Recipe
Date Bars (VRP 400)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups chopped dates
- 1 cup lemonade
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Salt
- ½ cup almonds - chopped
- 1½ cupsflour
- 1½ cups quide cooking oats
- 1½ cups packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup butter or margarine
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring dates, lemonades, sugar, and salt to a boil and simmer until thick.
- Remove from heat and add almonds.
- Grease and flour a 9" pan.
- Mix flour, oats, brown sugar and 1/4 tablespoon salt.
- Cut in butter.
- Put ½ in pan.
- Spread dates. __ 4 days, add rest