BEST DATE SQUARES EVER

Best Date Squares Ever image

These rich tasting squares use less sugar than other recipes but you would never know it. Bring squares to room temperature to serve, about 15 minutes.

Provided by Suzanne Poynter

Categories Desserts Cookies International Cookie Recipes Canadian Cookie Recipes

Time 2h20m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

4 cups chopped pitted honey dates
¾ cup orange juice
½ teaspoon lemon juice
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups quick-cooking oats
¾ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x11-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
Heat dates, orange juice, and lemon juice in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often, until dates are soft, about 6 minutes.
Stir whole wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl; stir in melted butter. Press half of the oat mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
Spread date mixture evenly over oat mixture; sprinkle remaining oat mixture evenly over date mixture and press down lightly.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate until chilled before cutting into squares, about 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 251.1 calories, Carbohydrate 35.5 g, Cholesterol 30.5 mg, Fat 12.2 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 89.1 mg, Sugar 20.7 g