Makes 16

• 2 cups chopped dates
• 1 cup water
• 50g caster sugar
• 185g butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1.5 cups plain flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1.5 cups oats

1. Preheat the oven to 180C. Line a square tin with baking parchment.
2. In a saucepan, combine the dates, water and caster sugar and warm up over a medium heat. Cook, stirring regularly for 10 minutes until the dates have soaked up the liquid and gone very soft. Set aside to cool.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Sift in the flour and bicarbonate of soda and mix well. Add the oats and mix well.
5. Press half of the mixture into the prepared tin, pressing it down evenly with your fingers.
6. Spread the sate mixture over the top, then, gently press the remaining oat mixture over the top of the dates.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until golden. Remove from the oven and cut squares, whilst still hot.
8. Cool completely in the tin. When cooled separate into the 16 squares.

These are very yummy and moist and a bit like date crumble. I love them!!!

They keep in an airtight tin for about 5 days.