In an era when recipes are developed and shared virtually everywhere, it can sometimes be overwhelming figuring out what to cook. Despite being a food editor with an entire spreadsheet dedicated to must-try recipes, I’ve barely made a dent in the list. And yet, I’m still always snooping around Reddit for more recipe ideas. There’s just something so charming and quirky about the ones that make it onto the platform. They’re not overly stylized or polished like a cookbook or magazine, and, without video, you’re spared the dizzying whiplash of trying to understand a recipe in 20 seconds or less.
The latest dish making its rounds on the heart of the internet? Kath Bars. If you haven’t heard of them, then buckle up, because there’s a lot to unpack here.
What Are Kath Bars?
This story begins on Dec. 30, 2025, when a Redditor shared a photo of a treat their neighbor had gifted them in the r/Baking subreddit. Since the neighbor declined to share the recipe, the Redditor turned to the internet for help. “Keep your secrets then, Kath,” the Redditor quipped, which the internet has widely assumed is the name of the “tight-lipped neighbor.”
Reddit’s vast community of home bakers wasted no time cracking the case. Turns out the treat looked identical to a Filipino dessert called Food for the Gods.
Made with dates, walnuts, and brown sugar, Food for the Gods is an extra-chewy, rich dessert bar, similar to a blondie, except nuttier, with deep butterscotch notes. They’re often shared and eaten in the Philippines during the holidays, which may explain why they were included in a festive cookie box gifted to the Redditor behind the post.
Kath Bars, while technically a misnomer, likely emerged as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the original poster’s neighbor. The name has since spread on Reddit like wildfire.
One user took a screenshot of the original post as a reminder to try the recipe, only to later discover they weren’t alone. “Didn’t know so many Redditors had the same thought,” they added. In fact, the original post has inspired more than 25 new threads (and counting) in the r/Baking subreddit. Not to mention, the post has only been online for a little over a week.
As for the Filipino dessert’s heavenly name? No one knows exactly how it came to be, though some speculate it’s due to the walnuts and dates, which are considered expensive in the Philippines. One thing is certain: A single bite is enough to understand why it’s so beloved.
“I had no idea what was going on, but I had all the ingredients, so I took it as a sign. OMG, they were AMAZING,” shared one Redditor. “I’m making them every year.”
“Guilty baked a batch and already ate half,” raved another.
“I made them and love them,” wrote a user on another thread. “They remind me of pecan pie.”
Pie in bar form? Say no more. After one quick read-through of the recipe, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Torta di Noci, another nut-forward dessert I love. So, I put on an apron and got to baking.
How To Make Food for the Gods
If you’ve ever made cookies, making Food for the Gods will be a breeze. You start by creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy. As with cookies, take your time here. I ended up beating my butter for about three minutes to get it very pale. Then mix in the eggs. Whisk the dry baking ingredients in a bowl, then add them to the butter mixture. Add the chopped dates and walnuts and mix until combined. Spread everything into a baking dish and bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the edges begin to pull away from the pan.
From the reviews on Reddit, I gathered these would be incredibly rich and indulgent—and they are! While some recipes instruct to top the bars with powdered sugar, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt is more my speed. Flavor-wise, I loved the nuttiness and the hint of maple flavor that dates lend. While I think these are pretty crowd-pleasing as is, you could also zhuzh them up, as one Redditor did, with orange zest and warm spices.
Any leftover Food for the Gods bars can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to three days—though something tells me these won’t last that long in my house.
Dining and Cooking