2 c. dates, finely chopped (a food processor works best)
⅓ c. brown sugar
1 Tb. flour
1 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla
Crumb Mixture
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats (or Wheaties cereal)
1 c. brown sugar
¾ c. unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Heat oven to 365 degrees.
In a small saucepan, combine dates, brown sugar, flour and water; stir to combine. Simmer over medium/high heat until thick and bubbly (about 1-2 minutes), then remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and set aside.
In a small mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
Melt butter and pour into dry ingredient bowl. Combine until it’s crumbly (I like to use my fingers so I can feel it's totally combined).
In an 8X8 baking dish, spread half the crumb mixture into the bottom of the dish and pat with your fingers to get to the edges.
Spread the date filling all over the bottom layer and spread to edges.
Sprinkle remaining half of crumb mixture over the top.
Place in oven and cook 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool before cutting into squares.
Notes
Recipe makes about 12 squares, depending on how large you cut them.
Recipe by My Delicious Blog at https://www.mydeliciousblog.com/honolulu-date-squares-a-family-favorite/