Easy Date Squares - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Oatmeal Layer
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup sugar, brown
1/2 cup walnuts (optional) or 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter
Date Jam
1 1/2 cups dates, pitted and chopped
1/4 cup sugar, brown
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Date Jam
Combine dates, sugar, water and vanilla in saucepan and bring to a boil.
Simmer 5 minutes, until mixture resembles a thick paste.
Cool completely
Oatmeal Layer
Combine flour, oats, sugar, nuts and salt in mixing bowl.
Cut in butter.
Reserve 2 cups of this mixture for topping.
Press remaining mixture into bottom of greased 9 x 9\" pan.
Spread cooled date jam over the bottom layer and sprinkle reserved oatmeal mixture evenly over top.
Bake 25- 33 minute.
Cool completely then cut into squares.