Date Squares

It has been snowing lightly since this morning. I heard of many schools are closed on southern Vancouver Island. It doesn't look bad here where I live. Our little car doesn't have snow tires and the lease will expire this spring. So we don't want to spend too much $ on winter tires for a car we are not sure if we keep or not.... too cheap? Hope my husband will have no trouble driving...! Yikes!

Well, let's stay indoors, bake some Date Squares and have a cup of nice Rooibos tea!
I will take you out for a nice walk later in the snow, Snoop!


Date Squares

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 C rolled oats
• 1 1/2 C flour
• a bit of salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 C brown sugar
• almost 1 C butter, softened
• 1 1/2 C pitted & diced dates
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbs lemon juice

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

1. Combine oats, flour, salt, 3/4 cup brown sugar and baking soda. Mix in the softened butter until crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch greased square baking pan.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the dates, water and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened. Remove from heat. Spread the filling over the base, and pat the remaining crumb mixture on top.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in preheated oven, or until top is lightly toasted. Cool before cutting into squares.