Gluten Free Date Bars

These are yummy little guys.  Not fat free but Gluten Free (baby steps with this celiac thing lol)!

What ya need:

CRUST

1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted cold butter, cut into small pieces (we use vegan but either will work)...

1 c brown rice flour

     1/2 c coconut flour or milo flour

1/4 c granulated sugar

1/4 tea kosher salt

1 large egg, lightly beaten or use flax seed for vegan version.

FILLING

2 c dried dates, pitted and chopped

1/2 c granulated sugar

1/2 c juice grape or apple

TOPPING

2/3 c quick cook oats

1/2 c brown rice flour

1/4 c packed light-brown sugar

1/4 tea kosher salt

1/4 tea ground cinnamon

2-4 tbs maple syrup, agave or honey use what you have.

DIRECTIONS:

For the crust:

 Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9-by-9-inch baking pan we use coconut oil but grease to your preferences. 

In the bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, and butter. I use my hands for this.  Add egg mix until it makes a dough.  Transfer mixture to your pan and make a bottom crust by pressing with fingers.  Freeze while prepping filling.  10 minutes.  Bake until lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes. 

For the filling: 

In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar, and juice. Cook over medium heat until soft and the consistency of jam this take around 10 minutes or so.  Make sure to be stirring.  Using a hand blender, puree mixture until smooth.  Spread mixture evenly over baked crust. 

For the topping: 

In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and maple syrup. Using your hands, work in syrup to form crumbs. Evenly distribute crumbs over filling to cover. Bake until topping is golden brown and filling is set, 20 to 25 minutes. Run a paring knife around edges of pan to loosen; let cool completely in pan on wire rack.   When cool I cut into squares using a serrated knife, and arrange on serving platter.  This makes 12 bars depending on the size you cut.  Store in air tight container in fridge for up to a week.  Can be popped in microwave for 10 seconds to make tender upon serving.  These are divine for tea time, or dessert.  I will also serve for breakfast with fruit when my girls need to feel extra special.

Tread lightly,

🖤Mel