Brown Sugar Date Squares

• 1 pound pitted whole dates
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Dash salt
• 1 cup cold butter, cubed
• 3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• Vanilla ice cream, optional

1. In a small saucepan, combine the dates, brown sugar and orange juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes or until thickened and dates are tender, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press half into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Carefully spread with date mixture.
3. Stir walnuts into remaining crumb mixture. Sprinkle over filling; press down gently. Bake at 350u0b0 for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Serve with ice cream if desired.

dates, brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla, flour, oldfashioned oats, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, baking soda, salt, cold butter, walnuts, vanilla ice cream

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/brown-sugar-date-squares/ (may not work)