Date Squares

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups pitted, chopped dates
• 1 cup butter
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup flour

Directions

1. To make the date mixture, chop the dates (the finer the better) and simmer in a pot with 1/2 cup water until the dates are fairly smooth and about the consistency of thick pudding. Cool.
2. Pre-heat oven to 325 °F (160 °C).
3. To make the oatmeal mixture, mix the sugar and butter together until the mixture is smooth. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix again until the dough is a bit mealy. Stir in rolled oats.
4. Put 1/2 the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of a 8" square pan and press down firmly.
5. Spread the date mixture evenly over the oatmeal mixture. Add the second 1/2 of the oatmeal mixture and press down with a spoon.
6. Bake at 325 °F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Note: this recipe is based on an old one of my Mum's, I just love them!