Ingredients

• 3 cups pitted dates, chopped
• 1 cup pitted prunes, chopped
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1/2 cup almonds, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. In a covered bowl, let the dates and prunes steep in the boiling water for about 10 minutes, to soften, then transfer to a saucepan.

2. Add the sugar and let simmer for about 10 minutes, until thickened.

3. Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg and let cool.

4. In a food processor, pulse together the oats, flour, sugar, salt and baking soda until the oats are chopped, 5 to 10 pulses.

5. Pulse in the butter until crumbly, then pulse in the cold water until the mixture comes together.

6. Press two-thirds into a greased 13" x 9" cake pan and spread with the date mixture.

7. Mix the remaining oat mixture with the almonds, if using, and sprinkle over the date mixture, pressing lightly.

8. Bake in a 350 degree F oven until light golden, 35 to 40 minutes.

9. Let cool in the pan before cutting into squares.