This is my favourite date square recipe. I have had quite a few people tell me that they don’t really like date squares, because they are so sweet. I have added an item to my recipe that takes care of that: fresh chopped oranges.
Try this one and let me know how you liked it – it is likely to be a real hit with everyone!
1-1/2 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1-1/2 cups of quick oats
1-1/2 cups of brown sugar
1 cup of butter
Date fillling:
1 lb. of pitted dates, chopped
1/2 cup of hot water
1/4 cup of sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 cup of orange juice
rind of 1/2 orange
one large orange – peeled and chopped into about 1/2 inch pieces
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Prepare filling first – combine dates, hot water, sugar, salt, orange juice,orange rind, lemon juice and orange pieces together in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until dates are very soft and all water is absorbed. Add vanilla and let cool.
Stir flour and baking soda together, add to oats and brown sugar and mix well. Work in butter with fork until mixture is crumbly. Spread 1/2 of the mixture in bottom of greased 8″square pan and pat down. Cover with cold date filling. Pat remaining mixture on top. Bake in moderate oven (350F) for about 30 minutes.
For thinner date squares, use a larger pan – 9″x 13″.
