Date Squares

Sugar Free can be sweet....

When people hear sugar free related to any desert they automatically think " it contains artificial sweeteners", i don't believe in replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners..just for the sake of making a desert sugar free...i would rather eat a little less to control my sugar intake. Also don't listen to the advertisements for artificial sweeteners - they don't taste the same as sugar and using them as much as sugar is not healthy.

naturally sweet ingredients on the other hand, can replace sugar in some desserts and nobody will even find out that it doesn't contain sugar.(unless u want to tell them)

I found this recipe on joyofbaking and when i tried it out and served it at home everyone liked it but felt that it was a bit too sweet. so the next time i tried it i just cut out the sugar. i also substituted the all purpose flour for whole wheat. (healthier and it gives it a more rustic flavor and color)

so this is one of those recipes that u can kind of eat guilt free or serve to someone who is trying to cut their sugar intake.

its also pretty simple and requires very little time.

Ingredients

Date Filling:

3 cups (400 grams) pitted dried dates

1 cup (240 ml) water

Oatmeal Crust:

2 cups (200 grams) old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup (130 grams) wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¾ cup (175 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Method

Date Filling:Place the dates and water in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the dates are soft and have absorbed most of the water (about 5 - 10 minutes). Remove from heat, Let it cool to room temperature and then puree in your food processor until smooth. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Grease an 8 x 11 inch (20 x 28 cm) or  a 9 x 9 inch (23 x 23 cm) pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

Oatmeal Crust: In the bowl of your food processor, place the  oats, flour, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon. Pulse to combine. Then add the butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the base of the prepared pan.

Spread the dates evenly over the oatmeal crust. Sprinkle the remaining dough evenly over the top of the dates. Bake for about 30 -40 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a wire rack to cool. Once the squares have cooled, cover the pan with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator at least one hour or until firm enough to cut easily into squares.

These will keep, covered, in the refrigerator up to a week.

Makes about 20 - 2 inch squares.

you can also try this recipe with other fillings, such as any fruit jam or chocolate ganache....off course them it won't be sugar free....