Soft & Crunchy Date Squares

Submitted by clubfoody

"This popular dessert is a great snack to have on hand! It's soft with a light crunch, something everyone will enjoy! VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxc-0D3UFcI"

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 9 squares

ingredients

• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄8 teaspoon sea salt
• 3⁄4 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 3⁄4 cups rolled oats
• 1 1⁄2 cups dates, pitted
• 3⁄4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

directions

1. In a large bowl, add flour, baking soda and salt; whisk until blended. Add butter and using a pastry cutter, combine with flour. Add brown sugar and rolled oats; stir until mixture is crumbly (don’t over mix). Scoop half of the flour-oat mixture into an 8 X 8 lightly buttered baking dish. With the back of a spoon compact it by pressing down gently; set aside. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. In a small saucepan, combine dates, water and vanilla extract. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer until the dates are soft, stirring often; while cooking, mash them. Remove from the heat and cool off for about 5 minutes.
3. Spoon date mixture on bottom crust and level it out with a spatula. Add the remaining oat mixture and press down gently. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into squares.