Chewy Date Nut Bars

Name: Chewy Date Nut Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 package yellow cake mix (regular size); 3/4 cup packed brown sugar; 3/4 cup butter, melted; 2 eggs; 2 cups chopped dates; 2 cups chopped walnuts

You'll need just six ingredients, including a convenient boxed cake mix, to bake up these chewy bars chock-full of walnuts and dates. They are my husband's favorite snack, and he loves to take them to work. I often whip up a batch for bake sales or to share with my co-workers at our local car dealership.

Ingredients

1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
2 cups chopped dates
2 cups chopped walnuts

Directions

In a large bowl, combine cake mix and brown sugar. Add butter and eggs; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Combine dates and walnuts; stir into batter (batter will be stiff).
Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around sides of pan to loosen; cool completely before cutting.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 184 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 134mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Chewy Date Nut Bars in Quick Cooking November/December 1998

Reviews

My Review

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Average Rating:

mommyvick

Jan 30, 2019

incredibly delicious and super easy. My NEW Go-to bar for events!!! YUM
Candace

Feb 13, 2018

Great flavor and texture even though I couldn't regulate my old oven's temperature properly and they were a little underbaked. I didn't have walnuts so I used chopped cashews. Will definitely make again! Everybody raved about them!
s_pants

Nov 8, 2017

Dusted the cooled bars with confectioners' sugar. These were so good!
Raygina

Nov 7, 2017

These were super easy and really tasty. I slightly over baked them but they were still great.
Dellast

May 29, 2017

Surprisingly good. Not the most attractive bar but the flavor is really good. I have used a spice cake mix as is or a yellow or white cake mix with the addition of cinnamon. Most and chewy but the 36 servings is way off unless you are serving a 1/2 in square. Perhaps baking them in a cookie sheet would be better so not as thick and more servings but don't over bake. These also freeze well. Even hubby liked them.
Katheen Ann

Jan 14, 2017

New family favorite. Love the texture and flavor of these bars. I added a bit of salt and some vanilla. Try to make them ahead of time if you are taking these to a pot luck or a party, as they just keep getting better and better . . . at least for the couple of days they lasted around here! I wish I had another right now. Thanks for sharing.
Rosemary Swope

Dec 31, 2016

Made just as the recipe said. Very simple, and very good! This recipe is a keeper, and a new favorite for my husband and I. Thank you for sharing!
sistersofmercy

Oct 5, 2016

my husband loves these too. I add 50% more dates & also the zest of a lemon and an orange to them. I also bake them for 17-18 minutes, then take them out for 15, then put them back in till done. it's a trick I learned from Alton Brown (he recommends it for baking brownies) that makes them to die for. we like them warmed up with coffee or tea. Delightful <3
dig1

Jul 20, 2016

Good one
SuSey22

Nov 9, 2014

I needed something quick for a church meeting, plus I had hoped to use up some dates I had on hand....these bars were PERFECT! Tasty & easy to make, they disappeared quickly, to rave reviews from the church group!