Mimi'S Date Squares (Gluten Free)

• Date Filling
• 1 lb dates
• 3/4 cup water (hot)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Oat Crumble
• 1 cup brown rice flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch or 1/2 cup tapioca starch
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1 1/2 cups quick oats (gluten or wheat free)
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup butter (cold, cut into cubes)

1. Preheat oven to 350u0b0F.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the dates, hot water, sugar and salt.
3. Cook on medium heat until dates are soft, and water is absorbed. Add vanilla and let cool.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the rice flour, starch, xanthan gum, and baking soda.
5. Stir in oats and brown sugar into the flour mixture, and mix well.
6. Work butter into flour mixture until crumbly. I treat it like I'm making pie crust. You can use a pastry cutter, two butter knifes, or your fingers. Whichever method you prefer. I like to make a snapping motion on the butter cubes in the flour with my fingers.
7. Spread half of the oat crumble evenly into a greased square (such as an 8x8 or a 9x9) pan, and press down.
8. Spread the date mixture evenly on top (the mixture can still be warm, but it musn't be scorching hot).
9. Take the rest of the oat mixture and crumble it evenly on top of the date mixture. Do not press down.
10. Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned.

filling, dates, water, sugar, salt, vanilla, crumble, brown rice flour, cornstarch, baking soda, xanthan gum, oats, brown sugar, butter

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/mimis-date-squares-gluten-free-534549 (may not work)