Also known as Matrimonial Cake, these date squares were one of Mom’s standby desserts that we all loved.

• 1-3/4 cups rolled oats
• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 3/4 cups brown sugar
• 3/4 cups margarine (use 2/3 cups coconut oil instead for an easy vegan version)
• 3/4 lb. chopped dates, pitted
• water
• 2 T brown sugar
• 1 t vanilla

Mix oats, flour, baking powder, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and salt. Rub in the margarine. Press 2/3 of mix firmly into bottom of greased 8″ pan.

Boil the dates with a little water and 2 T brown sugar until soft. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Spread carefully on top of the oat and flour base in pan. Cover with rest of the oat and flour mix, this time pressing it only very slightly into dates.

Bake at 300 F for about 40 minutes.