Date Oat Squares

For the filling

• Combine 500 grams pitted dates (I used medjool ones)
• 1 and a 1/2 cups water
• 1 tsp aniseed powder

Instructions:

• Place in a pot on medium heat, when water boils, lower heat and cook for 10 mn uncovered until a paste forms
• Remove from heat and allow to cool down a little bit
• Add 1 cup toasted chopped walnuts
• Set aside

For the dough

• Combine 1 and 1/2 cups flour of your choice (I used the wholewheat flour)
• 1 and 1/4 cup instant oats
• 2 TBS packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1 tsp aniseed powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Combine all with a spoon or your hand

Instructions:

• Spread 1/2 of the quantity of the dough to a bottom of a pan (25 cm should be good)
• Add the date filling on top of it
• Add the rest of the dough as on top

• Bake in a preheated oven (180 degrees C) for 30 mn in the middle of the oven then brown the top a little
• Allow to completely cool before cutting and serving!

Tip: they taste better the next day especially when stored in the fridge

LD. Farah Ibrahim