Yield: 16 Squares

Ingredients for the dough:

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

• 1 cup quick oats

• 2/3 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) of melted butter

• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon*

• 1/4 teaspoon salt*

  *Not provided by summerlunch+

Equipment:

• 8x8 baking dish

• Measuring cups

• Measuring spoons

• Cutting board

• Knife

• Large bowl

• Medium sized pot

• Spatula for mixing

• Wooden spoon

Ingredients for the Filling:

• 2 1/2 cups Medjool dates, pitted and chopped

• 2 apples, chopped

• 1 cup water

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp baking powder

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F

2. Carefully cut open the medjool dates and remove their pits and any hard pieces on top. Chop the pitted dates into small pieces. Cut the apples into a very small dice.

3. Place the chopped dates and apples into a pot with water and lemon juice and bring to a boil.

4. Once boiling add the baking soda and turn the temperature down to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, or until the dates have fallen apart. Let cool.

5. In a large bowl prepare the dough mixture. Add in the flour, quick oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon* and mix until combined.

6. In the microwave, or in a small pot on the stove, melt 1 stick of butter. Pour melted butter over the dry mixture.

7. With a spatula, mix the butter into the dry ingredients. Then with clean hands continue to mix the dough. Squish some of the mixture together and see if it sticks together. If it does your dough is ready, if it crumbles, moisten the dough with 1-2 additional tbsp of butter or vegetable oil.

8. Firmly press 2/3 of the dough into your 8x8 pan. You want a solid foundation for your bars.

9. Pour your date apple mixture on top of your crust. Gently cover with the remaining dough.

10. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool and then slice into 16 squares.