Date squares

Name: Date squares
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Canadian
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups Pitted Dates; 1 cup Water; 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla; 2 cups Oats; 1 cup All purpose flour; 1 cup Brown Sugar; 1/2 tsp Baking Powder; 1/4 tsp Salt; 1 cup Unsalted Butter

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Serves 12 443 kcal per serving Prep 20 min Cook 45 min

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups Pitted Dates
1 cup Water
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
2 cups Oats
1 cup All purpose flour
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
1 cup Unsalted Butter

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C. Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan.
To prepare the filling, combine the dates and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to the boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick and smooth, about 6–8 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla and set aside to cool.
For the base and topping, place the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor. Pulse briefly just to combine, avoiding a fine texture. Add the butter and pulse again until the mixture is crumbly with small clumps. Transfer to a bowl and mix through if needed.
Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even base. Spread the cooled date filling evenly over the crust, then scatter the remaining oat mixture on top and press lightly to level.
Bake in the centre of the oven for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze for longer storage.

Tips

Simmer the dates with a little water and lemon juice until they form a thick, spreadable paste.
Press the bottom layer of the oat mixture firmly into the pan to create a sturdy base that won’t crumble.
Let the squares cool completely in the pan before slicing; this allows the date filling to set.

Variations

Orange Date: Use orange juice and zest instead of water and lemon to cook the dates for a citrusy twist.
Nutty Crumble: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the oat topping for extra crunch.

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They actually taste better the second day once the flavors have melded.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as a classic Canadian ‘Matrimonial Cake’ with a hot cup of tea.
Warm a square in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.