Classic Old Fashioned Date Squares
These Classic Old Fashioned Date Squares are delightfully sweet, super quick to mix up and made with all-natural pantry ingredients. Just pure, old-fashioned goodness in every bite!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter sub dairy free baking stick
Date filling
- 2 cups pitted dates chopped
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/3 cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch kosher or fine sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare filling first. Combine dates, hot water, maple syrup and salt in a saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until the dates are softened, and the water is absorbed. Stir in vanilla and set aside to cool.
- Preheat oven to 350º (177ºC) and prepare parchment-lined 8-inch square cake pan.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda. Add oats and brown sugar and mix well. Next, work in butter with a pastry blender or fork until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is well distributed throughout.
- Spread half the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, pressing it down with the back of a wooden spoon to form a base. Cover with cooled date filling. Next, sprinkle remaining oat mixture across the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven, place pan on wire cooling rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes. (For a cleaner cut, chill in the refrigerator for up to an hour once cooled). Slice into squares and enjoy!