Sticky date muesli bars

Prep 15 mins | Cook 35 mins | Makes 12 pieces

¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
60g butter
1½ cups rolled oats
1 cup rice bubbles
⅓ cup shredded coconut
350g fresh Medjool dates, deseeded and chopped

Step 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C. Grease and line the base and sides of a 19cm x 29cm slice pan with baking paper.

Step 2 Combine brown sugar, honey, vanilla and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.

Step 3 Combine oats, rice bubbles, coconut and dates in a large bowl. Pour over the melted butter mixture and stir until combined. Spoon into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool in pan. Cut into rectangles and serve.

Good for you ... Dates

A good source of dietary fibre which is helps keep the intestine functioning normally.

Fresh dates are a source of vitamin C, which contributes to the normal functioning of the body’s immune system.

Provide some folate, a B vitamin that is needed for normal formation of blood cells.

A source of potassium which may help balance the effects of the sodium from salt in the diet.