Date Squares

I recently made a visit to Shields Date Gardens. They have about 10 different types of dates to choose from. And if you are anywhere in the Palm Springs area, you have to have drop by for a date shake!
I purchased a couple of the most popular dates and got to thinking that we have not had date squares in a long time, and Bake loves them.

Date Squares

This recipe comes from JoyofBaking.com

Date Puree:
3 cups of dates, pitted
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix dates and water, stir and cook about 5-10 minutes. Date will be soft and most of the water absorbed. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 350F.
Butter a 9 inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

Oatmeal Base and Topping:
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Place the oats, flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon in a food processor and pulse to mix. Add butter to the flour mixture and process until mixture comes together.
Put 2/3 of oatmeal mixture and press into the bottom of the pan.
Spread date puree over the top of base.
Then crumble the rest of oatmeal mixture over the dates, gently press and compact the crust.
Bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes.
Chill well and then cut into squares. Date squares will keep a week in the fridge.