Whole Wheat Date Bars
by Nour Zibdeh, RD
Servings: 20 (1 Bar Per Serving)
| Nutrition Facts |
| Serving Size 1 Bar |
| | | | |
| Amount per serving |
| Calories 220 | Calories from Fat 60 |
| % Daily Value* |
| Total Fat 7g | 11% |
| | Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
| | Trans Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 10mg | 3% |
| Sodium 60mg | 3% |
| Total Carbohydrate 38g | 13% |
| | Dietary Fiber 5g | 20% |
| | Sugars 21g | |
| Protein 4g | |
| |
| Vitamin A | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0% |
| Calcium | 6% |
| Iron | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. |
Ingredients
Dough:
3 cups whole wheat flour
¼ cup semolina
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoon ground fennel
2 tablespoon ground anise
1 tablespoon anise seeds
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup olive oil
2 tablespoon rose water
1 cup 1% milk, at room temperature
Date Filling:
1.5 package pressed dates (Can be found in Middle Eastern ethnic stores. If you can't find those, use soft pitted dates and press/knead with your hands.)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
To make the dough, mix all dry ingredients (up to the anise seeds) in a medium size bowl. Add the egg and the vanilla and try to incorporate. You might want to use your fingertips to do that.
Add the oil and rose water and continue to incorporate with your fingertips. Pour in the milk and knead until you have a uniform dough ball. Divide in half.
To prepare the filling, place the pressed dates in a microwave-safe bowl. Drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle the cinnamon. Microwave for 30-60 seconds, or until soft. Then knead until all three ingredients are well blended together.
Brush a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil. Take one half of the dough and flatten it on your kitchen counter until it's big enough to cover the dish. Now flatten all of the dates and place on top of the dough. Repeat with the second half of the dough and place on top of the date layer. Use a roller and parchment paper, especially for the dates or else they will stick on your counter.
Cut the bars now. I cut them diagonally but you can do any other size/shape you prefer.
Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Broil on low for few minutes until golden.
Serve hot, warm, or cold. Yum!