Maple Oat Date Bars

I love dates! They're such an unassuming fruit. While not so pretty to look at (all I can think of when gazing upon them is how much they look like cockroaches- sorry!), they're incredibly syrupy and sweet. I had the extreme luxury of eating tons of delicious dates while visiting Israel last year, and although the medjool date does not taste quite the same coming from the US as it does the Middle East, it has not stopped me from purchasing the local version in bulk.

This particular date bar is very well rounded in flavor, as it incorporates maple syrup which serves to enhance the sticky sweetness of the date, an oat crumble which gets toasted on top to add warmth, and then a hint of lemon zest to brighten everything up.

Maple Oat Date Bars
Ingredients
2 cups finely chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup regular oats
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 400F. Butter a 9"x9" pan (or your preferred equivalent). Combine chopped dates, water, and maple syrup in a saucepan and bring to boil. Stir frequently until water has evaporated from mixture (about 15 mins). In the meantime, in a mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together, and add to butter mixture until fully incorporated. Press 2/3 of butter mixture in prepared pan, and spread date mixture on top. Sprinkle 1/3 of butter mixture on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until oat topping is lightly toasted. Fully cool in pans before cutting.