Oats and Date Slices

Very easy to mix and the ingredients are simple, so the end result comes as a pleasant surprise. This is metric, so I gave the nearest Imperial measures in brackets.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Yields: 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 500  g dates, chopped fine (1 lb)
• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 1  cup water
• 375  g all-purpose flour, unsifted (12 oz)
• 225  g oats (uncooked flakes, 7 oz)
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  cup butter, soft
• 1  cup light brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon cream of tartar
• 100  ml water (more or less)

Directions

1. Boil the dates, sugar and water over medium heat until thick, stirring often. Let cool.
2. Set oven on 180 deg C/350 deg F.
3. Mix the flour, oats and salt.
4. Rub butter into the flour mixture until well incorporated.
5. Add sugar and mix in well.
6. Dissolve the baking soda and cream of tartar in a little of the water, and add to flour-sugar mixture.
7. Now add just enough water to form a pliable dough which can be rolled out -- not sticky and not too dry.
8. Divide dough into two. Roll out each half between wax paper (or use flour to roll out). Remove paper.
9. Each half should be about 12" x 12" -- pat or roll into square shapes as even and nice as possible.
10. Spread date mixture evenly over one dough half, right up to the edges.
11. Press other square lightly on to the date filling. Trim edges carefully with a serrated knife.
12. Cut into neat squares of about 2"/5cm x 1"/3 cm.
13. Place on greased cookie sheet, and bake for 20 - 25 minutes in the preheated oven.
14. Cool on a wire rack. About 3 doz cookies.