Dates are sweet, delicious and nutritious. They are a good source of fibre, vitamin B, iron and many more. Medjool dates are of better quality but I just used regular dried dates from the bulk section of a grocery store, and it came out fine. I actually prefer eating medjool dates on their own to fully enjoy the goodness. I got a box of Trader Joe’s medjool dates for X’mas from my friend and I munched them all within a week!

Makes about 16 squares
Total time = 75 minutes

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup demerara or brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 120 g unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 400 g pitted dates, diced
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF
2. In a mixing bowl, mix together oats, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt 
3. Rub in butter with hands until resembles coarse crumbs
4. Place half of crust in a 8 inch x 10 inch baking pan (or pan of choice) lined with greased parchment paper
5. Press firmly and evenly
6. Bake for about 15 minutes, let cool
7. Meanwhile, cook dates and water in a non-stick pot over medium heat about 15 minutes until thickened
8. Turn heat off, stir in vanilla and let cool slightly
9. Spread dates paste evenly on top of baked crust
10. Sprinkle remaining crust mixture (just a thin and even layer)
11. Bake for about 25 minutes until golden
12. Cool completely before cutting into squares