Matrimonial Date Squares Recipe

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

Heat dates 2/3 cup brown sugar orange juice and orange zest in a saucepan over low heat; cook stirring occasionally until dates have softened absorbed the liquid and mixture is like a paste about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract.

Stir oats flour 1 cup brown sugar baking soda and salt together in a bowl; cut in butter with a knife or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Lightly press 2/3 of the crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9x9-inch pan. Spread date mixture evenly over the crumb crust; sprinkle remaining crumbs evenly over the top of date mixture.

Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden about 30 minutes; cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing into bars.