Date Squares

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375
2. Grease an 8×8 square pan with butter, then lay a piece of parchment over the bottom allowing it to go up two sides. This will allow you to easily remove the squares once cooked.
3. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, butter, salt, and cardamom. Mix well so the mixture is combined and crumbly. Set aside.
4. Take a medium sauce pot, and combine the dates, Kahlua, coffee, orange juice, orange zest. Cook until boiling. reduce heat to medium. Add the baking soda and cook stirring constantly until the dates are soft and the mixture resembles a butter like paste. Should take about 5-6 minutes.
5. Take half of the oat mixture and press it into the bottom of the pan. Top with the date filling, and then add the remaining oats to evenly cover the top. Press gently into the date mixture to set.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and leave the squares in the pan until completely cooled. Approximately 3-4 hours.
8. Cut into equal portions and serve. These freeze very well, and will easily last 3 months frozen.