Dark Chocolate Mocha Date Bars

Happy Friday peeps! So glad you popped by  <3

I am of the opinion that it is about a hundred and ten percent necessary for me to do a recipe post on Fridays, because I feel like we all deserve a little bit of a reward for being super awesome, and making it through the work week… agreed? Awesome – I’m glad we are on the same page about this.

And really what would any celebration be without a little bit {or a lot} of chocolate? Let’s just be real here, it simply wouldn’t be a celebration at all… {or not a very good one anyway} – hence these Dark Chocolate Mocha Date Bars to aid in your Friday celebration vibes!  Mhmmm… 

So I posted a picture of these bad boys on instagram like… a zillion years ago, and I am finally getting around the posting the recipe! Okay, maybe not a zillion years but it was sooo long ago. So yeah – I officially suck. But hey – better late than never right !?Besides, I promise you that these little monsters were well worth the wait.

Raise your hand if you like dates… Okay now raise your hand if you like dark chocolate… okay now raise your hand if you like espresso… Alright now imagine all of those delicious ingredients cooked into an ooey, gooey filling that has been sandwiched between layers of buttery, oatmeal crumble…  one word; heaven. 

Honestly, does that sound as amazing to you as it does to me? Because if it does I’m pretty sure we are soul mates 😀

I love dates… they are just so gosh darn good! So when I mix dates with dark chocolate {aka – my other greatest love in life} … it’s pretty much game over. There is something so incredible about that dark chocolate & date combo that is just downright irresistible, wouldn’t you agree?

The caramelly flavour from the dates just melts into that rich cocoa flavour of the dark chocolate to create such a decadent flavour pairing, which is then taken to a whole new level of greatness when layered between a nice buttery crumble…

Seriously, these bars are dangerous – consider yourself warned…

Seriously, once you take a bite of one of these bad boys, you won’t be able to get enough of that rich, velvety, ooey, gooey, chocolatey, date goodness – These are a serious crowd pleaser for sure.

Recipe is below friendlies & I hope you enjoy <3

Dark Chocolate Mocha Date Squares

Makes: 12 date squares

Things you need…

Date Filling
10.5 oz dates
1 cup water
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tbsp espresso powder
1 tsp vanilla

Crumb Crust & Topping
1 cup butter, room temp
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cup large rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup dark chocolate, good quality & finely chopped

How to make…

Date Filling

Place dates, espresso powder, and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook down for about 10 minutes. Add in the maple syrup; continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the water is evaporated and a smooth, sticky date mixture remains. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Allow to cool completely to room temperature.

Crumb Crust & Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line either an 8×8 inch square or a 7×11 inch rectangular baking pan with parchment paper.

Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add in vanilla and beat to combine. Whisk together flour, oats, baking soda and cinnamon. Slowly add to wet ingredients and beat on low until mixture is crumbly, being careful not to over mix.

Press 1/2 of the crumble into the bottom of the prepared pan and then spread the cooled date filling evenly over top. Sprinkle the dark chopped chocolate evenly across the top of the filling; Then sprinkle the remaining crumble on top of the date filling and lightly press down to evenly cover the filling.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crumble is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into squares to serve.

So there you have it lovelies, the recipe for the date bars that are going to change your life… Okay, so that was a little very dramatic, but they are seriously delicious, and you should probably whip up a batch asap.

OR

If you are not into the whole chocolate/date combo situation, then try giving my Sticky Date & Toffee Oatmeal Squares a try instead. It is a more classic date bar recipe that has been amped up to be extra delicious.

Whichever you choose to make, you will surely be in Friday night date bar heaven 😀

Happy Friday baking friends <3

KP xoxo