Old-fashioned Date Squares

2 1/2 cups pitted dates

1 1/2 cups water

2 tsp vanilla

1 3/4 cups large-flake oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup cold butter

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine dates with water in a medium saucepan over high. Boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until thick, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and let cool.

Combine oats, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a food processor. Pulse 3 times to combine. Add butter and pulse until oat mixture is crumbly (pea-sized). Transfer to a large bowl and quickly crumble with fingers to evenly distribute the butter. Spread two-thirds of the oat mixture over bottom of pan. Press down lightly to make a crust. Scrape date mixture over crust and spread evenly. Top with remaining oat mixture and press down lightly.

Bake in centre of oven until top is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool completely in pan, about 1 hour. Cut into 16 squares.