Grandmother's Matrimonial Squares
Description
Matrimonial bars, with an oat crust, a filling of cooked dates, and a crunchy oat top layer, are an easy-to-make traditional dessert.
Ingredients
•
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 1/4 cups brown sugar
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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3/4 cup butter
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1/2 pound dates, pitted and chopped
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3/4 cup water
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1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
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
Press half of oat mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan.
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
Spoon date mixture evenly over oat mixture in baking pan; sprinkle remaining oat mixture evenly over top and press into place.
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.