Ingredients

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. 2

   In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped dates and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

3. 3

   Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dates break down and the mixture becomes thick and jam-like.

4. 4

   Remove the date mixture from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon juice, and sea salt. Mash any remaining large chunks with a fork, then set aside to cool slightly.

5. 5

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and chopped walnuts.

6. 6

   Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

7. 7

   Press approximately two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create a solid base.

8. 8

   Spread the cooled date filling evenly over the bottom crust using a spatula.

9. 9

   Sprinkle the remaining oat and walnut crumb mixture over the top of the date layer, pressing down very lightly.

10. 10

    Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

11. 11

    Remove from the oven and let the squares cool completely in the pan before slicing. This allows the filling to set properly.