by Martina Bin
22 Jun 2021

Date Squares with Oat Crust

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon soda
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

For the filling:

1 1/2 pounds dates
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Put the dates, 1/3 cup of sugar, water, and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Let the mixture cool for 5 to 10 minutes while you prepare the crust. Heat the oven to 375 F (190 C). Lightly butter a 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Cream butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Combine flour, salt, and soda; stir well. Add the flour mixture to creamed mixture. Mix well. Stir in oats, blending well. Pat about half of the mixture (about 2 1/2 cups or 13 ounces) into the prepared baking pan; spread with date filling then sprinkle evenly with remaining crust mixture. With your hand, tamp down the top crust layer lightly. Bake at 375 F for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until browned. Cut into bars while still warm; let cool and remove from pan. Your snack is ready!