Oatmeal Chocolate Date Cranberry Squares

It is the weekend and I decided to make these sweet but rather filling dessert squares. The texture is dense and the sweetness is rich dark chocolate. This recipes has loads of ingredients however nothing to which you may not already have on hand in your pantry. Some ingredients may be easily substituted for others. Also these can be made into cookies if you prefer.  

Oatmeal Chocolate Date Cranberry Squares

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2/3 cup granulated (castor) sugar

2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup apple sauce

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup 50% cocoa dark chocolate chips or dark semi sweet chocolate chips 

1 cup dried dates, chopped

1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

3 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats

1 cup all purpose flour

Notes: You may also add 1 cup of nuts if you prefer. If using self-rising flour omit the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 

Heat the oven to 375ºF.

Blend all the ingredients except the oats, flour, chocolate chips, dates, and cranberries in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed. Or you may just blend with a wooden spoon. Once blended stir in the chocolate chips, dates, and cranberries with a wooden spoon. Then stir and blend in the oats and flour. 

Either press dough into an ungreased square baking pan lined with parchment paper on the bottom and bake for about 25 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Cool on a wire rack then cut into squares OR drop by tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie baking tray. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove immediately from baking tray and let the cookies cool on wire racks.  

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. - JD