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1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking pan with butter or oil, then line with parchment, leaving overhang for easy removal.
1 tsp Salted butter (for greasing pan, or use oil)
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2. In a large bowl combine rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground ginger, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg. Stir until the spices are evenly distributed.
2 cup Rolled oats,
0.5 cup Whole wheat flour,
1 tsp Baking powder,
0.2 tsp Fine sea salt,
1.5 tsp Ground cinnamon,
0.5 tsp Ground cardamom,
0.5 tsp Ground ginger,
0.1 tsp Ground cloves,
0.1 tsp Ground nutmeg
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3. In a small saucepan combine the medjool dates, milk, and brown sugar. Bring just to a simmer over low heat, stirring and mashing the dates until they soften and break down into a thick, chunky mixture, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly for a few minutes.
0.8 cup Medjool dates (pitted),
0.3 cup Brown sugar,
1.5 cup Milk (dairy or plant-based)
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4. Whisk applesauce, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil into the warm date mixture until smooth and well combined.
0.5 cup Unsweetened applesauce,
1 tsp Vanilla extract,
0.2 cup Vegetable oil
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5. Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Fold gently until everything is just combined with no visible dry patches. Stir in the chopped nuts and optional chopped dates if using.
0.5 cup Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans),
0.2 cup Chopped dates (for mix-in, optional)
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6. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the top with the fine rolled oats for topping if using, pressing them lightly into the surface.
0.2 cup Fine rolled oats (for topping, optional)
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7. Bake on the center rack for 28 to 35 minutes, until the top is set, edges are lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
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8. Let the pan cool on a rack for at least 20 minutes, then lift out using the parchment and transfer to a cutting board. Cool to room temperature before slicing into 9 bars. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
By james