Date Squares

Ingredients:

• 16oz chopped pitted dates
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or maple syrup
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, combine dates, white sugar, water, and vanilla. Mix well and simmer until the dates soften and thicken. Use the back of a large spoon to break down the dates when they soften, creating a thickened smooth mixture. Do this before all the liquid is absorbed.
2. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F.
4. In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until smooth and light.
5. In a medium bowl, add oats, flour, cinnamon, and salt, and mix well to combine.
6. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix only until combined. You want the crust to be a little flaky and crumbly, so don't over-mix.
7. Grease an 8x8 baking dish and line with parchment paper. Add half of the oatmeal mixture and press lightly and evenly into the bottom of the pan.
8. Add the cooled date mixture and spread evenly over the bottom layer.
9. With the remaining oatmeal mixture, evenly drop spoonfuls on top of the date mixture. It will look like dumplings on top, but don’t worry. Then place a piece of wax paper on top and use the back of a large spoon or bottom of a small glass to help spread the oat mixture out evenly across the top. Don’t press hard, or the oat topping will sink in. Coax the oat mixture to spread out to form a thin, even crust.
10. When done, remove the wax paper.
11. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the oat mixture starts to turn a light golden brown.
12. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Once cooled completely, you can easily lift the whole item out of the baking dish and cut it into squares, but the date squares must be completely cool. Store in a sealed container or freeze for up to 2 months.