Here is a brilliant way to satisfy a sweet tooth in just 20 minutes: Easy no bake dessert bars with dates, honey and nuts!
Bonus, with the switch of one ingredient, these date bars could easily be vegan!
Have you ever had ranginak? Ranginak are basically no bake date cakes or bars with walnuts and pistachios. They are found particularly in Persia, parts of the eastern Mediterranean and Morocco. If you are not a medjool date eater, you will become one as soon as you try this simple, yet delectable, dessert I have for you today.
I grew up eating medjool dates because my dad loved them and he always made sure we had some for a quick snack or for a teatime treat. But I became a medjool dates enthusiast only recently, when in an issue of Yoga Journal, I read advice on what to have before your yoga practice. Foods that will give you energy but will still keep you light throughout your practice. Yoga Journal suggested a small shake of almond milk and dates. But since I don't always have time to make a shake, I began to eat two dates every morning about an hour or so before I left for yoga class.
I thought it couldn't hurt. But, could this small snack really give me that much energy through a whole hour of laborious power yoga session in a room that is nearly 95 F degrees warm?! The answer is a resounding YES, because two medjool dates give me 133 calories and 36 grams of total carbohydrate!
In the back of my head I knew that traditionally in the Middle East offering someone dates was a sign of hospitality. But it wasn't until recently that I finally made the connection between their nutritional value, as a source of carbohydrates and essential minerals, and the ancient practice of hospitality.
This fascinating Santa Clara University article explains the length to which people of the Middle East will go to express hospitality. And I would have to agree that hospitality is not extended simply to family and friends, but even more towards strangers. To be a hospitable person is to be one who loves strangers-- to offer of yourself and resources without expectation of reciprocity.
A stranger in this ancient nomadic culture was naturally a traveler in the dessert. So, to help quickly restore their energy, it would make sense to have offered dates. And even as strangers left your home, they are offered dates and water to help sustain them through their journey ahead. And so, medjool dates and hospitality have long been linked.
This recipe for no bake date dessert bars is one that comes from a tradition of celebration and hospitality. And because it is so simple, you can make it almost daily if you want. It is great with tea or coffee--preferably with friends.
The best way to describe these dessert bars with dates is to compare them to a favorite fudge bar, only these are far better! The fleshy, sweet pitted medjool dates are stuffed with walnuts then covered with a buttery cookie-like layer, and finally topped with pistachios. These date bars are every bit sweet and delicate; they will melt in your mouth causing a euphoric reaction. Don't say I have not warned you! 🙂
Here is the step-by-step for these easy dessert bars:
Open the medjool dates partway and stuff each date with a walnut half. Close the dates tightly to enclose the walnut halves.
Assemble the walnut-stuffed dates snugly in a single layer in the bottom of a lightly greased small container like this one.
In a small non-stick pan, melt the butter and honey on medium-low heat. Add the coconut extract, then stir in the flour. Keep stirring until the flour turns golden brown, about 5 minutes.
Pour the honey and flour mixture evenly on top of the dates filling in any gaps.
Let the mixture set, then top with the chopped pistachios pressing lightly with your hand.
Now carefully cut the date cake through into 9 small bars.
For best results, cover the bars and refrigerate for one hour, or until ready to serve. Remove from the fridge about 10 minutes before serving.
Easy No Bake Dessert Bars with Dates, Honey and Nuts
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: serves 8
Description
Here is a brilliant way to satisfy a sweet tooth in just 20 minutes: Easy no bake dessert bars with dates, honey and nuts!
Bonus, with the switch of one ingredient, these date bars could easily be vegan!
Ingredients
- 26 large soft medjool dates, pitted
- 26 (or scant 1 cup) walnut halves
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into chunks (for vegan, replace the butter with Âľ oil)
- 3-4 tablespoon good quality honey
- 1 ½ tsp coconut extract
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Open the medjool dates partway and stuff each date with a walnut half. Close the dates tightly to enclose the walnut halves.
- Assemble the walnut-stuffed dates snugly in a single layer in the bottom of a lightly greased small container like this one.
- In a small non-stick pan, melt the butter and honey on medium-low heat. Add the coconut extract, then stir in the flour. Keep stirring until the flour turns golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Pour the honey and flour mixture evenly on top of the dates filling in any gaps. Let the mixture set, then top with the chopped pistachios pressing lightly with your hand.
- Now carefully cut the date cake through into 9 small bars.
- For best results, cover the bars and refrigerate for one hour or until ready to serve. Remove from the fridge about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- As noted in the ingredients, for a vegan version of this recipe, simply exchange the butter for Âľ cup of oil.
- You may serve the date bars immediately. However, for best results, refrigerate for one hour before serving. Remove from the fridge 10 minutes before serving. Keep any left bars refrigerated.
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- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Recipe loosely adapted from Mediterranean Cookbook.
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Can I use coconut flour to make this gluten free?
Hi, Sharon! I'm Summer and I work here at The Mediterranean Dish. We haven't tested this recipe with coconut flour, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. You can certain give it shot. Or if you want to try a date bar without any flour we also have this no bake chocolate date bar recipe.
Horrible recipe! Expensive to make and didn’t taste so great!
The recipe notes for vegan exchanging the butter for oil. You can exchange it for vegan plant based butter which is healthier than oil. However, it still isn't vegan with honey as honey isn't vegan.
Wow. That's all I need to say, but I'll add more. Made these tonight. What a taste! The mixture of the honey/flour, dates, and the contrast of the pistachios (all I had was salted) was incredible. It is better with the salt and the sweet. My kids love it and so do I. Easy to make too. Thanks for this and all your great recipes!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Craig!
This looks really delicious! I can't wait to try this easy no-bake recipe! I'm sure my family will love this too.
Enjoy, Aika!
Honey is also not vegan. Can I substitute agave nectar or maple syrup? Or something else that does not come from animals?
Hi Ginny. You can try agave or whatever you think is the best substitute for honey.
Would it work to sub something for the coconut extract?
Sure, Janice! Enjoy!
Oh I have to try this!
I hope you do! Enjoy!
This looked SO good and quick, but it has walnuts, which I'm allergic too. Did a quick google search and I see I can use pumpkin seeds instead!
Thanks for sharing!
Awesome, June! Yes, you can certainly substitute the walnuts out! Enjoy
I tried these bars yesterday and unfortunately they did not turn out at all! I am not sure what went wrong. I used the vegan option and used 3/4 cup of olive oil and I did substitute 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour for all purpose. The problems began when I stirred the flour into the hot oil mixed with honey and extract - the mixture immediately turned thick like a batter. I proceeded to cook for five minutes then spread it over the dates but it was an oily, floury mess. If anyone has any suggestions they would be appreciated as these bars sound and look delicious!
Jesse, I am sorry to hear these didn't work out for you. Are you open to trying this simple recipe as is (without changing the ingredients?) I am thinking the whole wheat flour did not help. Whole wheat flour makes your baked goods a lot more dense and heavier than all-purpose flour does.
Hi! I made these yesterday and they turned out really well and I basically changed all the ingredients. Try using a coconut oil from a jar, because when it is cool it hardens a little but stays soft. Also instead of wheat flour, I mixed almond flour, coconut flour, and a little chickpea flour. The mixture was a bit thick, but it still worked and tasted amazing!!!
I also used vanilla extract instead of coconut, and I didn’t have enough walnuts so I added plain sunflower seeds and chia seeds. Tasted amazing!!!
Thanks for sharing!
I love what you say about hospitality and even sharing that spirit with strangers. Posts like these where you share new and interesting recipes are my favorite. I have never heard of this but it looks so delightful!!!
Thanks, hun! Your comment meant a lot to me, Jocelyn.
I travelled through the Middle East a number of years ago during date season and totally fell in love with them there. I can't get enough of them now.
This dessert sounds amazing!!
Dear Suzy, I am definitely going to give these a try! They sound wonderful...I know my family would enjoy them very much. xo, Catherine
Great, Catherine! I'll be eager to know how you like these date bar!
Fabulous recipe Suzy. I love the added dates to these bars.
Beautiful bar...I love the added dates.
Thanks you, Sandi! A new favorite at our house.