The Best Old-Fashioned Date Squares

Ingredients:

oat crumble

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 2/3 cups rolled oats 
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup softened butter

date filling

• 1 lb. dates (2 and  2/3 cups)
• 1 cup hot water

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in softened butter until fully incorporated. The mixture should resemble coarse crumbs.
2. For the date filling, combine dates and hot water in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat and cook, stirring often until dates are soft and begin to thicken.
3. Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of an 8 x 8-inch baking pan to form the bottom crust.
4. Press the date filling over the bottom crust.
5. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over date filling. Lightly pat down with your fingers to even out the topping.
6. Bake at 325˚ for 30 minutes until the top is lightly browned and golden.
7. Cool completely and cut into squares.