Anita's Mom's Date Squares

Submitted by Lennie

"I have not yet tried this, but it is from an overdue library book (From Our Mothers' Kitchens) and I want to return the book tomorrow, so need to get the recipes I want to try copied down, pronto. I love the idea of adding the orange juice and zest in with the dates in this old-fashioned recipe."

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 10
• Yields: 24 squares

ingredients

• Filling

• 2 cups chopped pitted dates
• 1⁄2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 orange, juice and grated rind of

• Crust

• 2⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2⁄3 cup whole wheat flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 3⁄4 cups rolled oats
• 3⁄4 cup soft butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

directions

1. First, make filling.
2. In a heavy saucepan, combine dates, sugar, water, orange juice and grated orange rind.
3. Cover pot and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until dates are tender and all the liquid is absorbed; this will take 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Let mixture cool.
6. Preheat oven to 375F; lightly grease a 9-inch square cake pan and set aside.
7. To make crust, stir together flours, soda and oats.
8. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar together, then add in the flour mixture and stir until crumbly and moist.
9. Pat two-thirds of the mixture into the prepared pan, then spread cooled filling evenly over this base.
10. Sprinkle with remaining flour mixture, evenly over entire surface, and then pat in lightly.
11. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden.
12. Let cool slightly before cutting into bars or squares.

Reviews

[Theresa P]

These bars are just right !! Very buttery and just a hint of orange . I LOVE them . They will be great on a cookie or pastry tray . They taste like a million dollars but , are really a snap to fix ! Even someone who thinks they don't like dates should try them . I think you would be pleasantly suprised !