Baking · serves 2

Apple and Date Cake Bars

Wholemeal flour, dates and apple sauce. Sweet enough without much sugar.

60 min Easy Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 60g butter, softened
  • 40g soft brown sugar
  • 140g self-raising wholemeal flour
  • 40g dates, chopped
  • 170ml apple sauce
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp hot water
  • 2 tsp flaked almonds

Method

  1. Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
  2. Flour, dates and apple sauce in, mixed to a batter.
  3. Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water and stir it through.
  4. Into a lined tin, spread level, almonds scattered on top.
  5. 180°C for 45 minutes.
  6. Five minutes in the tin, then a rack. Cut only when completely cold.

Questions people ask about Apple and Date Cake Bars

How long does Apple and Date Cake Bars take?

About 60 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is straightforward. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of atta in Apple and Date Cake Bars?

Use plain flour, though the dough will be softer and need less water.

Can I make Apple and Date Cake Bars ahead of time?

Yes, and it is better for it. Cool it fully, refrigerate for up to three days, and reheat gently with a splash of water. The flavours settle overnight.

Is Apple and Date Cake Bars vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need an oven for Apple and Date Cake Bars?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Apple and Date Cake Bars?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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