Canadian Date Squares

Description: Make and share this Canadian Date Squares recipe from Food.com.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces dates, cut up
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 cups oats (not instant)

Steps:

1. Combine dates, 1 TBSP brown sugar, and water in small saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook, stirring often, until dates are soft enough to be mashed with a fork.
3. Set aside.
4. In mixer bowl, blend flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Stir in brown sugar and oats.
7. Do not over mix.
8. Mixture should stay crumbly.
9. Press half of crumb mixture over bottom of lightly buttered 8x8-inch pan to form bottom crust.
10. Gently spread date filling over bottom crust.
11. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over date filling.
12. Lightly pat with palm of hand to even out.
13. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
14. Cool completely and cut into squares.