Sweet, citrus filled and slightly tangy with delicious caramel-like swirls of date throughout! These soft, flaky Orange Balsamic Date bars make the perfect snack or breakfast option. Gluten-free, high protein, and no added sugar!
Guys, T-Minus 4 days until I leave for Europe!!! (I leave Thursday!)
I really can’t believe it’s come up so quick. At the same time I sort of just wish I was there already. Yes, I’ve started packing, but I need to get a move on because I’m still not finished! Trying to bring as little as possible. More room for souvenirs on the way home, ya know? 😉
In case you’re wondering, I am traveling to England, France, Italy, and the Netherlands! I’ll be gone for about two weeks and while I’m glad I have some blogger friends that will be hanging out on the blog with all of you. There’s a slew of awesome recipes, fitness fun, and helpful tips that these lovely ladies will be sharing. I can’t wait for you all to meet them and I really appreciate them helping me out while I’m abroad.
I am actually looking forward to a semi-blog/social media break. I won’t have much access since I am not even bringing my laptop (GASP!), but I think it will be good for me. I just hope you all will stick with me when I get back! I have to recap my adventures after all.
As a little incentive to come back to the blog after my trip, I’m going to leave you with a recipe I’ve been wanting to share for a while.
My famed Orange Balsamic Date Bars!
Inspired by a citrus topped salad I had while out to eat a few months ago, I knew these bars would be perfect to share during this time of year. Who knew a salad could inspire a baked good recipe?
It was the first time I had orange on a salad and the sweetness of the citrus paired with the tangy balsamic dressing was incredible.
Loosely based on my Caramel Apple Swirl Bar recipe, these bars are sweetened with fruit, swirled with date filled caramel, and hinted with just the right amount tart tanginess from the vinegar.
Whether you eat them as a snack or even as a unique after dinner sweet, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this ingredient pairing!
PrintOrange Balsamic Date Bars
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Category: Sweet Snacks
Ingredients
- ½ cup gluten-free old fashioned oats, ground into flour
- ½ cup vanilla whey protein powder (to make vegan, use more oat flour and add sweetener to taste) (43 grams)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 1 fresh orange (115 grams), peeled and pureed in a food processor
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 3 large medjool dates, chopped (50 grams)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup hot water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine flour, whey, baking powder, baking soda, orange extract, vanilla, orange puree, and almond milk. Pour into a well greased 9×9 baking dish. Set aside.
- In a food processor, blend together dates, water, and vinegar until smooth.
- Spoon dollops of the date mixture into the batter and swirl around with a knife tip.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool before slicing into 9 bars.
Gluten-free, whole grain, high protein, and totally delicious. My kind of bar! And I think you’ll agree that they’re pretty darn special. 🙂
I’d be honored if you gave these a try while I’m away. Nothing better than coming home to people saying they enjoyed one of my recipes!
You’ll be hearing from me two more times this week and then it’s Bon Voyage!
Enjoy the bars, friends!
For those of you who have been to Europe, any tips for my trip?
What’s the most unique thing you’ve had paired with fruit?
Have you ever baked with balsamic vinegar before?
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Love the mix of savory and sweet here – such great flavors and something I can snack on any time of day! I hope you have a fabulous trip and get a nice, relaxing break from all things work 🙂
★★★★★
Thank you so much Kathryn!
These look delicious! I don’t usually eat dates in anything but this would be a great recipe to change that. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us at Merry Monday this week!
You’ll love these!!!
Fun fact- I have actually never cooked with dates! I love them, but I always just eat them as is. I think it’s time to change that once I get some more time on my hands! These look so good though!
YES. You must!!! They are so good in baked goods.
OMG, have so much fun!!! Tips: take a million pictures of the places and sights, but also of the people you meet, and yourself at these places. Those are the real memories. Bring great walking shoes because you will be walking A LOT. don’t wear clothing with American branded logos or anything – you’ll stick out like a sore thumb. Dress it up a bit to fit in 🙂 Finally, eat ALL THE FOODS. do all the tourists stuff, but also see the less traveled areas if possible. Make friends with strangers and ask their advice of what to see/where to go. And for safety, don’t be fooled by cute kids. Keep your hand on your wallet at all times. Italy was where I kept my guard up the most. You’ll be cat called, so just keep walking.
OMG THANK YOU!!!! These are GREAT TIPS! Especially the dress up thing…I was going to bring a lot of athletic/workout gear!! I will certainly take lots of pics and share them all on the blog!!! And YES to EAT ALL THE FOODS!!!!
I have a freshly minted date addict over here. She’s 10 🙂 this happened yesterday!!!
We need to make these so I can keep the addiction going 🙂
Haha! Tell her to try them dipped in peanut butter!! LIFE CHANGING.
I’m a huge fan of balsamic vinegar! So excited for your trip for you!
ME TOOOOOOO! I cannot wait.
What a delicious combo of flavors!!! YUM!
Thanks Annmarie!
Ooh, orange and date and balsamic have to be delicious flavors. They sound so tropical and fresh. I can’t wait to see all the guest posts you’ve prepared. <3 <3
I am so excited to post them!!!
I love balsamic and I am always looking for new ways to use it. Thanks for joining us for Meatless Monday
So welcome! You’ll love these!
I have never used balsamic vinegar in a sweet dish but it sounds amazing!
★★★★
It’s so unique in these bars but SO SO GOOD.
Dates, oats, extra fruity-ness–I like where this is going 🙂 I’ve only ever had balsamic with strawberry, never citrus. A new flavor I need to try! Two weeks without a laptop!?! That is going to be weird and amazing all at once! Eeeeeek It’s coming up so fast!
I knoooooooow! It’s sort of crazy that I’ll be so detached from social media…but a good thing I think! I’m nervous and excited for the break! LOL
The flavor combo sounds delicious! Of course I’m a big balsamic fan and I bet it would be delicious on a salad or pizza. I’ll have to check it out.
Thank you for linking up with us for Meatless Monday.
Yes I’ve had balsamic on a caprese pizza before and it’s amazing!!
These look amazingggg! I never would have thought of adding balsamic into the mix!
I hope you have the most incredible trip, girl! It’ll be here before you know it! xo
Thank you so much! Can’t wait to share it with you all!
I LOVE fruit combined with balsamic!!! Have SO MUCH FUN on your trip and I can’t wait to read all about it when you get back. My best space-saving packing tip (not that you asked) is to roll everything and put it in gallon ziplock bags so you can press all the air out. I carried on for a 10-day trip abroad and had room for souvenirs!
YES!!! I always roll my clothes! Saves so much space. Thanks girl!!
Hi the Healthy Helper, these orange balsamic date bars look soo yummy, I think I will try this recipe myself today!
Thanks Jade!!! Enjoy!
Usually I go for chocolate desserts, but this looks like a great alternative for something sweet when I don’t want chocolate! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Mandie!! Enjoy !
Date bars are one of my husband’s favorites. I know he would love these!
You’ll love them too!
I love these kind of healthy bars. Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare
Thank you so much!!!
goodness girl! have fun on that trip, it sounds amazing!
Thanks Jennifer!!! So excited!!!
[…] GET THE RECIPE […]
Love the idea of adding balsamic! Must try 🙂
Yes definitely give them a try!
Your Orange Balsamic Date Bars will be awesome! Hope you have a very special Fathers Day Weekend and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
★★★★★
Thank you!!
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe at the #RecipeSharingParty! I hope to see you next week. Pinned and Yummed. Please visit #OverTheMoon on Sunday or #ThursdayFavoriteThings for more sharing fun! Don’t forget to Comment your link #’s so I can be sure to visit and you get a chance to be featured!
So welcome!
I am always looking for snacks I can take with me on the go. And these are perfect. Love the original flavor combinations you always bring. Can’t wait to try this!
★★★★★
Thanks NiKki!
This sounds like a strange and wonderful combination! I love the ingredients so I’m sure this is delish.
Thank you for sharing at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. We are glad to have you. 🙂
Thanks Stacey!!
Wow have a great time while you are here! I’m in London over the weekend and at the moment the weather looks good! Hope you have a fantastic time, these date bars look so good! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Thanks Kirsty!!! London was awesome!
SO delish! Date anything is my fave. I must try these. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Stefani!!! Enjoy!
These look lovely! I love dates & would never have thought of balsamic in something like this, but can see how it would work really well! Hope you have a great time over here in Europe! #WAYWOW
Thank you so much!, having an amazing time!!
The flavors in these bars sound wonderful! Thanks for sharing them at The Wednesday Roundup – I’ve pinned them!
Thank you!!
What a great and healthy little snack! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday! Hope to see you again tomorrow! Pinned!
Thanks for hosting!!
You’re in Europe right now!!!! That’s so exciting! I got behind on blogging so you’ll be getting back as I (hopefully) get caught up.
What a recipe to leave on! Yum! I’m curious to experiment with them and see if vegan protein powder would work. Sounds like a fun test =)
I hope you are having a wonderful time in Europe. Of course we’ll be here eagerly waiting your return and wanting to hear all about your adventures.
And definitely a good idea to leave the laptop at home. I try to do that for most of my vacations. My favourite vacations include no electronics =)
Yes!! I’m learning that this break is wonderful and greatly needed!