Salted Date Pie

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Place the almonds on a sheet pan and bake them for 10 minutes, giving them a shake halfway through the baking time. When they have cooled a bit, grind them finely using a food processor.
2. 2
   Lower the oven heat to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine the ground almonds, graham cracker crumbs, and melted butter, stirring them with a fork to combine. Press the mixture firmly into a pie plate with your fingertips until it reaches up the sides and is uniform. Bake the crust for ten minutes and set it aside.
3. 3
   Meanwhile, slice the dates in half and remove their pits. In a large pan over low heat, melt the butter, brown sugar, and dates, stirring periodically. The dates will melt down into the brown sugar and butter and caramelize. This takes a bit of time, just pop in on it every few minutes to give it a stir. Towards the end of the process, stir more frequently so that the mixture does not burn. It should smell caramelized when it is ready.
4. 4
   Pour the date caramel into the crust and spread it with a spatula. It will set at room temperature.