Grandmother's Matrimonial Squares Recipe

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.