Old Fashioned Date Squares

My Grandmother's famous date squares were a beloved treat at her house. This nourishing, easy GRAINSTORM adaptation got two thumbs up from my family.

Dry mix

• 1 bag GRAINSTORM Old Scottish Oat Scone Mix
  Or mill your own

Other ingredients

• ½ cup Sucanat or brown sugar
• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups coarsely chopped dates
• ¾ cup orange juice
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 


DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F; grease a 9 x 9” square baking pan.
2. Combine dates and orange juice in a saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until the dates are soft and the liquid is absorbed. Set aside to cool.
3. Empty scone mix into a large bowl. Add brown sugar and vanilla, and mix well.
4. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.
5. Press half of mixture into a 9” square greased baking pan. (Note: Do NOT substitute a larger pan, as these squares are meant to be thick)
6. Spread the date mixture evenly over the crumb base, then sprinkle the remaining
7. crumb mixture on top of the date layer.
8. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
9. Let cool completely before slicing. Store in an airtight container. These freeze well, too.