Classic Oat - Wheat - Date Bars

This is a very healthy quick home-made energy bar. I pack these in my bag when I know I will be out of the house for long time. I made this for the first time, and quite happy with the results. My DH thinks it tastes like a pumpkin pie :) however, there is no pumpkin in the ingredient ....

Ingredients:

All purpose flour [Maida]- 1/2 cup
Wheat flour - 1/2 cup
Steel cut quick oats - 1 cup
Brown sugar - 1/2 cup
Honey - 1/2 cup
Vegetable oil - between 1/2 cup and 3/4 cup
Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Cinnamon powder - 1 tsp
*Dates - 1 cup
Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp

Method:

First prepare date syrup:

1. Boil around 1.5 cups of water and add chopped dates and cook for 10 minutes
2. Cool to room temperature and add vanilla essence and keep it aside
   

Pre-heat oven at 350 degree Fahrenheit and line the 8 inch x 8 inch baking pan with greased foil

Combine all the ingredient except the date syrup with fingers

Press half of the oat mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Spread date mixture over and next sprinkle the remaining half of the oat mixture and press it gently with hands to adhere

Bake for 30-40 minutes or till the edges turn brown and sets at center

Cool on the rack and slice it with serrated knife

Store in a air-tight container [I store it in fridge]

You can also individually wrap the pieces in sandwich bags and just grab one when you are on the go!

Recipe Source:
Notes:

* Dates can be substituted with any kind of ripe berries like blueberry, raspberry or blackberry. Proceed the same same as you would make date syrup. Do adjust for the tartness of berries by adding some sugar

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This is my entry for the following events:

Whole Grain [Eggless] Baking Event - Oats hosted by Madhuram

Kids delite event hosted by Srivalli

Cooking for Kids Event - Wheat hosted by Sireesha started by Sharmi

Health Nut Challenge 2 - Guilt Free Snacks by Yasmeen

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