Grandmother's Matrimonial Squares

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.25 cups brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.75 cups butter
• 0.5 pounds dates , pitted and chopped
• 0.75 cups water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. 2

   Stir oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder together in a bowl; cut in butter using a pastry blender until mixture is mealy and butter pieces are uniformly small.

3. 3

   Press half of oat mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan.

4. 4

   Cook dates with water in a small saucepan over medium heat until they fall apart and are easily mashed with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes; remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

5. 5

   Spoon date mixture evenly over oat mixture in baking pan; sprinkle remaining oat mixture evenly over top and press into place.

6. 6

   Bake in the preheated oven until crust is golden at the edges, about 30 minutes; remove to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.