Date Squares

If there is a dessert my spouse and I cannot agree on, it is date squares. He hates it and I love it. He hates it because he does not like dates. And I love it because of the chewiness and sweetness of the dates combined with oatmeal.

I baked date squares a couple of days ago to bring to work for a bake sale. I followed this Date Squares recipe. However, I did not add the walnuts because I was concerned about the allergies of some of my co-workers. I also changed the sugar for the maple syrup because I wanted to have a more natural taste. I got raving reviews for my date squares from my colleagues! And I loved them too because they had an amazing sweetness flavor.

Ingredients

***For the filling***625 mL pitted dates, chopped
60 mL maple syrup
375 mL water
80 mL walnuts, chopped (optional)
5 mL vanilla extract

***For the crust***
285 mL flour
5 mL salt
2.5 mL baking soda
375 mL old-fashioned or quick cooking oats (not instant)
250 mL firmly packed brown sugar
125 mL butter, cut into small pieces
15 mL water

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven at 350 F degrees.
2. Combine the dates, the sugar and 375 mL of water in a medium saucepan and cook over medium to medium-low heat until thick.
3. Remove from heat and add the vanilla and the walnuts.
4. Combine the flour, the salt, the baking powder, the rolled oats and the brown sugar with a fork or whisk in a medium bowl.
5. Cut in butter with a fork or pastry blender until the mixture is crumbly.
6. Add 15 mL of water and blend in lightly.
7. Press half of the oat crumb mixture in a greased baking pan.
8. Spread the prepared date filling on top of the oat crumb mixture to within 1/4 inch of the edge of the pan.
9. Top with the remaining oat crumb mixture, patting it down lightly.
10. Bake the date squares for 35 to 40 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
11. Cool completely on a wire track before cutting into squares, bars or triangles.

Makes 18 big squares or 36 small squares