Date Squares With Oat Crust
These date squares are made with buttery brown sugar, an oat crust, and a generous date filling.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 36 persons
Ingredients
- ¾cup butter
- 1cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1 ¾cups all-purpose flour
- 1teaspoon salt
- ½teaspoon soda
- 1 ½cups quick-cooking oats (uncooked)
- For the Filling:
- 1 ½pounds dates (chopped)
- ⅓cup sugar
- 1 ½cups water
- 1teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Step 1
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.Step 2
Heat the oven to 375 F. Lightly butter a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.Step 3
Cream butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda; stir well. Add the flour mixture to creamed mixture. Mix well. Stir in oats, blending well.Step 4
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.Step 5
Cut into bars while still warm; let cool and remove from pan. Makes 32 to 36 date squares or bars, depending on size.