Date Squares
These delicious date squares originated from a pinterest recipe but while playing with my food processor I came up with this yummy googy version which has become a huge hit in our house.
From my kitchen to yours:
Date Squares
Ingredients:
1 cup dehydrated pitted dates, chopped (PC brand works great)
1/2 cup water
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
3 tsps lemon juice
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oats, large flake
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 360 degrees
2. Line 9" x 12" baking pan with parchment paper
3. In a saucepan, combine dates and water over medium high heat. Once the mix begins to boil, reduce heat to medium-low. Let gently simmer, stirring occasionaly until thicken (5-6 minutes). Remove from heat
4. Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice and vanilla.
5. Place mixture in your food processor and blend until smooth (the consistency of butter)
6. In a seperate bowl whisk together flour, 1 cup brown sugar, oats, lemon zest, salt and baking powder.
7. Add butter and work mixture with your hands until the mixture is crumbly
8. Spread half of the mixture evely over the bottom of the prepared pan, pressing down gently to make a crust/
9. Place crust in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
10. Remove crust from the oven and spread date mixture evenly over the top all the way to the edges.
11. Sprinkle remaining crumble over the top of the date mixture and place back in the oven
12. Bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
13. Transfer pan to a rack and cool completely before cutting or removing the squares from the pan. (approx 1 hr)
