I don’t have a particularly big sweet tooth, but these date squares – made with a recipe from a Canadian grocery-store pamphlet called “Company’s Coming” – are nice and crumbly, and would even make a yummy (if not particularly well-balanced) breakfast.
DATE SQUARES
What you need:
1 1/2 c. quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. butter, softened
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c. chopped pitted dates
2/3 c. water
1/2 c. granulated sugar
What you do:
1. Mix first six ingredients together in a large bowl until crumbly. Press half of mixture evenly into a greased 9″x9″ pan. Reserve remaining oat mixture.
2. Combine remaining three ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered 5-10 minutes, until dates are softened and water is almost evaporated. (Add more water while simmering to soften dates, if necessary.)
3. Spread filling evenly over crust, and then sprinkle reserved oat mixture evenly over top. Press down gently.
4. Bake in 350F oven about 30 minutes, or until golden-brown. Let stand in pan on wire rack until cool.
Makes 36 squares.
