Date Squares

Ingredients

• 3 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
• 3 cups flour -use all purpose, whole wheat or a blend of the two - if you need or prefer gluten free substitute with a flour blend
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups coconut sugar or brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups plant-based butter
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• 2 lbs or approximately 6 cups pitted dates chopped -no need to soak the dates ahead of time as you will be heating them up in water
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 1/2 cup water
• 2/3 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar