Date squares

Dessert · Canadian classic.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups Pitted Dates
• 1 cup Water
• 1 1/2 cup Vanilla
• 2 cups Oats
• 1 cup All purpose flour
• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Unsalted Butter

Method

1. Preheat the oven — Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan.
2. Bring to a boil — To make the date filing: Combine the dates and water in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil.
3. Simmer — Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens, around 6 to 8 minutes.
4. Stir — Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and let cool. Set aside.
5. Roll out — Combine rolled oats, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a food processor.
6. Mix together — Pulse 3 times (careful not to overmix, you don’t want the mixture to be powdery, just combined).
7. Mix together — Add butter and pulse again until the mixture is crumbly in pea-sized clumps.
8. Mix together — Transfer to a mixing bowl to thoroughly mix in the butter.
9. Mix together — Spread half of the oat mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking pan, pressing down to make a flat, equal bottom later.
10. Mix together — Add the date mixture over the crust and then spread evenly.
11. Mix together — Layer with the remaining oat mixture and press down to flatten the top layer.
12. Bake — Bake in the centre of the oven until the top is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.

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