Date Crumble Squares

I was on the morning tea roster for church and wanted to cook something vegan with the dates I had sitting in my pantry cupboard. So after some searching, I found this recipe on Taste.com.au and decided to adapt it. Be warned it is quite sweet but you only eat a small square at a time.

Date Crumble Squares

2 cups chopped pitted dates
1 cup water
1/3 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/3 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
1 1/2 cups rolled oats


Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 3cm deep, 20cm x 20cm flat pan with baking paper.

Combine dates, water and 1/4 cup of caster sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until dates have absorbed liquid. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Sift flour, brown sugar, and bicarb together. Add oats and stir to combine. Pour in canola oil and mix well. Press half the mixture into base of prepared pan. Spread date mixture over the top. Crumble remaining oat mixture over date mixture so dates are completely covered, pressing on with your fingertips.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon of caster sugar. Cut into squares. Serve warm or cold.

Makes 20 squares.