Once upon a time . . .
you could buy a box mix by Better Crocker called Date Bars.
one day, one very sad day . . . it vanished from store shelves!
What will we do – the children cried?
What will we do – my Dad cried?
What ever will we do – I cried?
Find a recipe that comes close to perfection
and she did.
The end.
I like it warm from the oven with Whipped Cream.
but
Ice cream is also wonderful.
both . . . would be even better!
COCONUT DATE BAR CRUMBLE
1. First cut up the butter in small chunks and put in medium size bowl, until butter is at room temperature.
2. Prepare the filling. In a medium saucepan combine and gently boil until thickened. (about 10 min)
FILLING:
12 ounce pkg dates, chopped
*don’t buy the already chopped sugared dates, buy whole dates instead
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla
1 1/4 cups boiling water
Once mixture turns darker in color, and thickens; set aside to cool.
Prepare the crumble:
CRUMBLE:
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
2 cups oats
1 cup flaked coconut
2 cups flour
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 1/2 cups butter, cut in small chunks
Using a fork or hands, mix butter with dry ingredients until crumbly.
Make sure you leave in pea size chunks.
Divide the crumble mixture in half and press half into the bottom of a 9×13 inch greased baking dish. Pat half mixture evenly onto bottom of that dish. Spread with cooled date mixture as evenly as possible. Top with remaining crumb mixture. (I like to squeeze some of the dough in my hand, and then break it into large crumbs). Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. I baked mine towards the top of my oven for 20 minutes, then lowered the rack to middle to finish. I wanted to be sure the bottom was done as well. All ovens vary, so watch carefully.
I added nuts to my date mixture, but that is optional. You could use hazelnuts, almonds ect.
*In case you’re interested I have new posts at
Chocolate . . . tastes better at forty nine
and
by Get Off Your Butt and BAKE
Really? There was such a product? I never heard of it? Why did they stop making it I wonder. Your re-creation looks fabulous.
When I first found your website, I discovered that you were close to my age, even though you look much younger. 🙂 When I saw this post, I knew that you were my age. This was such a treat when my mom would buy this date bar mix. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks so much.
I have been looking for a date bar recipe, just like the old mix that my mom used to make at least once a week, it was so small though, for all of us,we had to wait until she made them again!!
YOU ARE MY HERO!! No one has any clue what I’m talking about when I say there used to be a betty crocker mix! I MISS IT! I’m making this recipe as soon as I can! THANK YOU TONS!