Classic Date Squares
Classic Date Squares
These Date Squares are a Canadian classic! The chewy and buttery oat layers surround a soft and sweet date filling that tastes like brown sugar. There’s just something about this classic square that even those that *think* they don’t like dates, love them! These bars are also commonly referred to as Matrimonial Bars (a Canadian wedding classic!).
Dates are delicious in baking.
Dates are nutritious, high in fibre, naturally sweet and so delicious in baking! Whenever I see dates in a recipe for cakes, loaves or squares, I just know it’s going to be good. I actually try to keep dates on hand (the blocks are great) as part of my regular pantry checklist for baking. They’re especially handy when a craving hits for these date squares! I hope you love these as much as we do.
Date Squares Recipe Tips
- DATES: You can use whole pitted dates or a compressed block of pitted dates.
- MAKE AHEAD TIP: You can cook the dates a few days ahead of time and store them in the fridge until you are ready to use them.
- OATS: This recipe calls for quick oats.
- SWEETNESS: Dates are very sweet, so if you wish to cut back sugar from the oat bar, feel free to use 1/3 or 1/2 cup of brown sugar instead.
- BAKING SODA: Why baking soda with the dates? The baking soda helps to soften the dates by breaking down the pectin, but it also reduces the acidity of them. You don’t even taste it, but make sure you add it!
- STORAGE: Keep these squares in an airtight container.
- FREEZER: These squares freeze well.
Putting it all together:
These squares are so easy to make, and are made with only a few simple ingredients. Here’s a quick look at how they’re assembled:
Made with 3 layers: chewy oat crust, date filling and oat topping.
The silky and sweet date filling.
Topped with a buttery oat crust.
Bake until golden, let cool and cut!
More Date Recipes to Try!
Classic Date Squares
Ingredients
Date Filling:
- 2 1/2 cups chopped and pitted dates
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 tsp baking soda
Oat Bar:
- 1 3/4 cups quick oats
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup butter (I use salted butter) at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper then set aside.
Date Filling:
- Make the date filling first. Pit and chop the dates.
- Add the chopped dates, water and baking soda to a saucepan, then over low-medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer until the dates have softened, about 10 minutes.2 1/2 cups chopped and pitted dates, 1 1/2 cups water, 2 tsp baking soda
- Set aside to cool.
Oat Bar:
- In a bowl whisk together the quick oats, flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar.1 3/4 cups quick oats, 1 cup all purpose flour, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 1/8 tsp salt, 3/4 cup brown sugar
- Add the butter then mix it in until the oat mixture looks crumbly. You can use a pie cutter or a fork to combine everything. You can also use a cheese grater to grate the butter into the mixture so it's easier to combine.3/4 cup butter
Putting it all together.
- Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. You can use a spatula to press it down.
- Spread the cooled date filling over the bottom oat layer.
- Add the remaining oat mixture evenly over the date filling, and press it down gently to seal it.
- Bake for 50 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown.
- Let cool at least 2 hours before cutting into squares. You can cut it into 16 large squares or 20 smaller ones.
Have a delicious day!
