OLD-FASHIONED DATE SQUARES
Source of Recipe
PatT
OLD-FASHIONED DATE SQUARES
Date Filling:
3 cups (10 oz. pkg.) pitted dates
1 cup water
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Oatmeal Crust:
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Date Filling: Place the dates and water in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the dates are soft and have absorbed most of the water (about 5 - 10 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let cool to room temperature and then puree in your food processor (or blender) until smooth. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven. Grease an 8 x 11 inch (20 x 28 cm) or a 9 x 9 inch (23 x 23 cm) pan.
Oatmeal Crust: In the bowl of your food processor, place the oats, flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon. Pulse to combine. Then add the butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the base of the prepared pan.
Spread the dates evenly over the oatmeal crust. Sprinkle the remaining dough evenly over the top of the dates. Bake for about 30 - 40 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a wire rack to cool. Once the squares have cooled, cover the pan with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator at least one hour or until firm enough to cut easily into squares. These will keep, covered, in the refrigerator up to a week. Makes about 20 - 2 inch squares.
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