These are seriously the most scrumptious date squares ever. The orange zest makes them absolutely incredible! I did not come up with the recipe, a friend brought a batch to "Birthday Club" one evening and it's gone viral in our small little group since then ;)
Best Ever Date Squares
from Anne Lindsey via Kaitlan via Marina
2 cups packed chopped pitted dates
1 cup cold coffee
2 Tbsp brown sugar
grated rind and juice of half an orange
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
In small saucepan, combine dates, coffee, sugar, orange rind; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until soft enough to mash (consistency of jam). Roughly 10 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in orange and lemon juice. Cool.
Crumb:
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup butter
In bowl, stir dry ingredients. Using two knives but in butter until the size of small peas.
Stir into crumb:
1 1/4 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
Put 1/2 crumb mixture into greased 9 inch pan. Spread date mixture on top. Spread rest of crumb mixture, lightly press.
Bake at 325 for roughly 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool in pan. Cut into squares.