Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Date Bars with Cardamom, Mace and Orange Flower Water

Date Bars with Cardamom, Mace and Orange Flower Water

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 24 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern-Inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Chewy, spiced Date Bars with a fragrant filling of dates, orange flower water, and citrus zest, topped with a crumbly oat crust and crunchy pistachios. Perfect for snacks, dessert, or gifting.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds dates, roughly chopped
  • 10 ounces orange juice
  • 10 ounces water
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange flower water
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest shreds
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 cups oats
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon mace
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, cold, cubed
  • 1 cup roughly chopped pistachio meats

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a saucepan, combine dates, orange juice, water, orange flower water, orange zest, lemon juice, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Simmer until thick and sticky.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, salt, baking soda, cardamom, mace, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Press half of the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread date filling evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining crust and chopped pistachios on top.
  5. Bake 35–40 minutes, until top is golden and fragrant. Cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • Let the bars cool completely for clean slices.
  • Toast pistachios lightly for extra flavor.
  • Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or frozen for later enjoyment.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 65mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg