BROWN SUGAR DATE SQUARES

Brown Sugar Date Squares image

"I've used this recipe for years," shares Suzanne Caithamer of Walton, Kentucky. "It's a wonderful addition to care packages and holiday cookie exchanges. Even people who don't like dates love them!" You can cut larger squares and add a scoop of ice cream to serve as a dessert.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 pound pitted whole dates
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup orange juice
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
CRUST:
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Dash salt
1 cup cold butter, cubed
3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Vanilla ice cream, optional

Steps:

In a small saucepan, combine the dates, brown sugar and orange juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes or until thickened and dates are tender, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla., In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press half into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Carefully spread with date mixture. , Stir walnuts into remaining crumb mixture. Sprinkle over filling; press down gently. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Serve with ice cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 251 calories, Fat 10g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 110mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (28g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 3g protein.