Medjool dates are in season in Baja Norte. So of course I had to create Date Oat Pecan Blondies. The dates are delicious moist little packets of sugary goodness but are they a healthy substitute for refined sugar? The answer is, sort of healthier which makes my blondies, sort of healthier too.

Each date provides 63 calories, 1.6 grams of fiber, 16 grams of carbohydrates and traces amounts of protein and minerals. Four dates would be considered a fruit serving in your daily tally of vegetables and fruits. However, a full cup of raw strawberries yields 46 calories, 11 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber and 149% of your daily vitamin C requirement along with significant amounts of other vitamins and minerals.

Of course, if you want a fruit serving with more “bang for your buck” and less calories, pick berries, melons, and apples.

Now let’s compare dates to refined sucrose (table sugar).

 

1 cup of halved, pitted medjool dates, about 10 dates, yields  630 calories, 16 grams of fiber, trace minerals and a lower glycemic index due in part to its moderate natural fructose content (fruit sugar) and fiber content which slows absorption.

By the way High Fructose Corn Syrup is a concentrated refined fructose which is definitively not metabolized the same way in your body. I’m not a fan of HFCS and it has been banned from my diet.

1 cup of sucrose yields 774 calories, 200 grams of carbohydrate, no fiber, no protein and a scant 2% RDA of the vitamin riboflavin.

That’s it. Sugar provides calories and carbohydrates.

Why am I telling you this?

I’m not suggesting that you start eating dates instead of healthier fruits but I am presenting you with a dessert recipe for date oat pecan blondies with 1/2 the carbohydrates and sugars of other blondie and brownie recipes, with whole grain oats, real fruit and a gram or two of fiber as a bonus.

This is not a low-fat, low calorie recipe by any means so eat them as a special treat and tell yourself that they are a little bit healthier than a refined sugar blondie and a whole lot healthier than a processed sugary, hydrogenated oil laden packaged dessert.

 

I adapted this recipe from my favorite brownie recipe and you can easily make these brownies by adding 1 cup of cocoa but I really wanted the buttery date and pecan flavors to shine.

If you’re looking for a gluten free healthy brownie recipe try my Gluten free zucchini brownie recipe

Check out my Pinterest Boards for Decadent Desserts and Healthy Desserts.  

Choices peeps, choices.

 

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