Date Squares

These old fashioned date squares,
are always a favourite, 
 as a dessert or snack

Ingredients

FILLING
1 lb. pitted dates chopped.
(I use a box of Jaffa
dates 500g.)
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup brown sugar
pinch of salt
1/4 cup orange juice
Rind of 1/2 orange
2 tsp lemon juice



CRUST
1 3/4 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1 cup flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup semi-salted butter softened.


PREPARATION
With the rack in the middle position, 

preheat oven to 350 deg. F

grease and line a 8 inch square 

pan with parchment paper.

MAKE THE FILLING
Chop up the dates

Combine dates, hot water, sugar, salt,

 orange juice, orange rind and 

lemon juice together in a saucepan.

Cook over medium heat until dates

 are soft and water is absorbed.
About 5-8 minutes. Let cool.

CRUST
In a bowl, combine the oats, flour,

 brown sugar and baking soda.
Add the butter and stir to combine.

Spread half (1/2) of the crust

 in the pan and press firmly.

Layer with the date mixture.

Cover with the remaining crust and press lightly.

Bake for about 55 minutes or

 until the top crust is slightly brown.

Let cool on a wire rack for 

about 4 hours or overnight.

Remove from pan and cut into 9 to 16 squares.

They freeze well.

Thanks for your visit xo