Date And Prune Squares

• 3 cups pitted dates, chopped
• 1 cup pitted prunes, chopped
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1/2 cup almonds, chopped (optional)

1. In a covered bowl, let the dates and prunes steep in the boiling water for about 10 minutes, to soften, then transfer to a saucepan.
2. Add the sugar and let simmer for about 10 minutes, until thickened.
3. Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg and let cool.
4. In a food processor, pulse together the oats, flour, sugar, salt and baking soda until the oats are chopped, 5 to 10 pulses.
5. Pulse in the butter until crumbly, then pulse in the cold water until the mixture comes together.
6. Press two-thirds into a greased 13" x 9" cake pan and spread with the date mixture.
7. Mix the remaining oat mixture with the almonds, if using, and sprinkle over the date mixture, pressing lightly.
8. Bake in a 350 degree F oven until light golden, 35 to 40 minutes.
9. Let cool in the pan before cutting into squares.

dates, prunes, boiling water, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, unsalted butter, cold water, almonds

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/date-and-prune-squares-418133 (may not work)