Grandmother's Matrimonial Squares

Matrimonial bars, with an oat crust, a filling of cooked dates, and a crunchy oat top layer, are an easy-to-make traditional dessert.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 151 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 0.75 cup water
• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.25 cups brown sugar
• 0.75 cup butter
• 1.5 cups quick-cooking oats
• 0.5 pound dates, pitted and chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Stir oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder together in a bowl; cut in butter using a pastry blender until mixture is mealy and butter pieces are uniformly small.

Step 3

Press half of oat mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan.

Step 4

Cook dates with water in a small saucepan over medium heat until they fall apart and are easily mashed with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes; remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 5

Spoon date mixture evenly over oat mixture in baking pan; sprinkle remaining oat mixture evenly over top and press into place.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until crust is golden at the edges, about 30 minutes; remove to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.