Date Squares
Date squares are full of old-fashioned goodness. You can add variety to this recipe by substituting dried apricots, figs, apples, or peaches for the dates.
INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 24 SQUARES
- 3½ cups quick-cooking oats
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1½ cups butter, melted
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups chopped dates
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 13" × 9" baking pan.
Combine oats, flour, and brown sugar. Add butter; combine by hand until crumbly. Spread half in pan.
Combine sugar, water, and dates in a saucepan. Bring to boil; simmer 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
Spread date mixture over crumb mixture in pan. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs.
Bake 25 minutes. Cool completely. Sift confectioners’ sugar over top before serving.
Buying Dates
You will usually find three types of dates at the store: whole dates for cooking; chopped dates; and whole gourmet dates for eating, not cooking. If you have a choice, buy the dates that are already cut up; dates are very sticky and hard to cut. If you do cut your own, dust them with confectioners’ sugar to make it easier.
