Wendy's Kitchen Table

This slice is an absolute winner! Dates are always a favourite ingredient of mine and this recipe highlights their deliciousness. 

INGREDIENTS
2 ½ cups chopped pitted dates
1 cup water
¼ cup caster sugar
185g butter, chopped
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/3 cups plain flour
½ teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1 ½ cups rolled oats

METHOD
Preheat oven to 180˚C or 160˚C fan forced. Spray and line a 4cm deep, 20 x 20cm square cake pan.
Combine dates, water and ¼ cup sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, or until dates have absorbed the liquid. Set aside and cool to room temperature.
Using an electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Sift flour and bicarbonate soda over butter mixture. Stir until well combined. Add oats. Mix well. Press half the mixture into the base of prepared pan. Spread date mixture over the top.
Crumble remaining oat mixture over date mixture so dates are completely covered, pressing on with your fingertips. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden. Cut into slices. Serve warm or cold.