Prep time

15 minutes

Cooking Time

25-30 minutes

Yields

8-12 bars

Ingredients

• 200 ml soft, pitted dates
• 80 ml tahini (sesame butter)
• 100 ml unsweetened applesauce
• 4 Tbsp orange juice (~ 1 orange)
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 450 ml rolled oats
• 250 ml sunflower seeds
• 100 ml hemp seeds (optional)
• 125 ml chopped cranberries or dried apples
• 60 ml sesame seeds
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• Zest from 1 large un-waxed oranges
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 Tbsp flax seeds (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 190. Use coconut oil or butter to coat a 25 cm square baking dish. Add dates to a food processor and process until they are finely minced and begin to form a ball. In a small saucepan, over low heat, warm tahini, applesauce, syrup, and orange juice, mixing well until the mixture is fully incorporated and liquid. Cool slightly, then add to the food processor with the dates along with vanilla extract. Process until the mixture has smoothed out and the dates are fully incorporated into the liquid, about 1 minute. 

In the meantime in a large mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients (oats, salt, and flax seeds if using). Mix well, then add the date mixture while still warm. Stir together with a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon until the oat mixture is fully coated and sticks together. Pour into a baking dish, pressing down so it gets even. This is important so it cooks evenly. Cut it up in squares.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges are just beginning to turn light golden brown and the middle is still slightly pale. (Note: Don’t wait until the middle is also golden brown and completely dry to the touch or the bars will be too dry once cooled.)Place on a cooling rack and cool completely (at least 1 hour), then use a serrated knife to cut into bars or squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature (5-7 days) or in the fridge/freezer for longer

Credit: Katie Schmidt (with some alternation), Whole Nourishment.

Enjoy!