Date Squares
If you like old school treats, these date squares are for you...excellent with a nice cup of tea!
You will need 1 cup of melted salted butter ( I find unsalted butter makes the crust taste a little bland), I realize that this is not melted butter but it will be!
In a large bowl combine 2 cups of rolled oats ( I use quick oats),
...2 cups of all purpose flour,
...1 cup of brown sugar,
...1 tsp. baking powder. Stir together dry ingredients.
Next, add the 1 cup of melted butter to the dry ingredients.
Stir together with a fork until well combined and mixture is crumbly.
Press half of the oat mixture evenly into a lightly greased or parchment paper lined 9x13 inch baking pan, reserving the other half for the top.
(Do NOT be alarmed at the state of my pan...it's an old school enamelware baking pan that has years of baked on goodness that I can't scrub off...I wash my dishes...really I do!! If anyone does know the secret to cleaning enamelware, please let me know!...but these baking pans really do bake up the best! )
Set this aside while you prepare the date filling and preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Chop enough dates to equal 3 cups and put into a saucepan (chop the dates to ensure there are no pits),
...add 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup of brown sugar depending on how sweet you like your filling.
...1 cup of water,
...and a 1\2 tsp. of salt...stir together.
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture comes to a boil.
The mixture will start to thicken...at this point, stir constantly to prevent scorching. The filling is ready when most of the liquid has evaporated and the filling is thick.
Remove from heat and spread filling evenly over bottom crust...
...pour remaining oat crumb mixture evenly over top of date filling.
Press crumbs down lightly with your hands and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.
...or until golden brown...cool completely before cutting into squares...or you can scoop it out with a spoon straight from the pan while warm if you can't wait...but that's just me!
Enjoy! mmm...mmmm!
Date square recipe:
Crust: 2 cups quick oats
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup melted (salted) butter
Filling: 3 cups chopped dates
1/2 cup to 2/3 cup brown sugar (depending on how sweet you like your filling...adjust sugar according to your taste).
1 cup water
1\2 tsp. salt
1. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients and brown sugar. Pour melted butter over this mixture and stir with a fork until crumbly.
2. Press half of the mixture into a lightly greased or parchment paper lined 9x13" baking pan, reserving the other half for the top.
3. Chop dates to equal 3 cups and put in a saucepan with the water, brown sugar and salt.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally...when mixture starts to thicken, stir constantly to prevent scorching. (The filling is ready when most of the liquid has evaporated.)
5. Remove from heat, spread filling evenly onto the prepared crust and sprinkle remaining crumbs over top. Press down lightly and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.
* Oven temperatures may vary.
* Cool before cutting into squares.
* Recipe updated March 2020