Date Squares

Ingredients:

Crust & Topping

41-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking soda
1-1/2 cups quick quaker oats
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup butter

Filling

1 pound pitted dates
½ cup hot water
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup frozen orange juice
rind of 1 orange finely grated (optional)
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla

Method:

⬥Place filling ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for five minutes, drain
excess water and cream into a smooth date mixture (I use a hand blender for this)
⬥Mix crust and topping ingredients together until soft and crumbly
Spray 9×12 inch pan with non-stick coating
⬥Pat down half of the crust and topping mixture, push into the corners and edges using the
back of a spoon, continue smoothing until firmly packed down
⬥Dollop the filling onto the crust – spread around carefully with the back of a spoon
⬥Crumble the remaining crust and topping mixture over the top of the filling, pat down lightly
with a fork
⬥Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
⬥Freeze really well