This is the Best Date Square Recipe

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Are you craving old-fashioned date squares? This is the perfect oat mixture and a great way to combine dates that will have you loving life. I think that these are the perfect dessert to pair with a cup of coffee at the beginning or end of the day.

You know those amazing Date Squares or Newfoundland Date Crumbles they have at your local coffee shop?  The really huge ones, that are so melt in your mouth delicious?

Well what if I were to tell you that you could make these delicious little treats yourself, and very easily too? And that they were jam packed with healthy ingredients, like dates? AND…

Homemade Date Squares or Date Bars are already Vegan, and so easy to convert to Gluten-Free!

This post was originally published on June 23, 2017 and updated December 4, 2020.

All of that buttery date filling sandwiched between delicious brown sugar, flour and more butter!

Would you be interested?  I thought so!

 

Homemade Date Squares

This Homemade Date Squares Recipe is even better than the ones you see in your favorite coffee store.  Just sayin.

 That crumble crust paired with the chopped dates and other filling ingredients makes for the perfect treat in individual squares.  

Biting into a freshly baked Date Square can be a bit tricky.  That delicious crumbly topping full of buttery brown sugar goodness will crumble all over you, if you aren’t careful.

But that really does take second place to the creamy date filling for date squares that swirls around in your mouth with the yummy cookie base and topping.

Tips to make the Best Date Filling for Date Squares

These remind me of my Blueberry Scone Recipe (Starbucks) but just sweeter!

1. Use the freshest ingredients
2. Use large flake oatmeal
3. Follow the recipe exactly
4. Make sure the unsalted butter is cold
5. Use a hand held pastry blender to gently blend the butter through the oatmeal and flour mixture

Ingredients needed to make Date Square Bars

• Oatmeal, fine (not instant)
• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Shortening, or butter if you prefer
• Dates, chopped
• Water
• Brown sugar
• Lemon juice
• Baking soda

How To Make Old Fashioned Date Squares

Step One: Base and Topping

1. Blend all ingredients together well, making sure the shortening is blended and split the mixture in half – one part for the bottom in a well greased plan, and one part for the top of the squares.

Step Two: Make the Filling

1. Combine the filling ingredients in a medium saucepan and stirring often, cook over low heat until thick. Cool before spreading.

Step Three: Make the Date Squares

1. Press one half of the dry mixture in the bottom of a 9 X 9 square pan, that you have lined with aluminum foil
2. Spread the Date mixture evenly
3. Top with the rest of the Dry mixture
4. Bake at 350F 35 – 45 minutes or until top is nicely golden.
5. Cool and cut into squares right away.
6. Store in an air tight container.
7. These Date squares freeze really well!
8. Enjoy.

Recipe FAQs

Date Squares are definitely a triple layer of awesome goodness!  They are also known as Newfoundland Date Crumbles and there are a number of different recipes out there.

What other recipes use pitted dates?

• Queen Elizabeth Cake is a great old fashioned recipes that uses dates. Or you could make Date Nut Cookies. Both are excellent.

Once you get the hang of this recipe, it’ll be like your new best friend!  This dates square recipe is one of the best!

 

 

A well-known Canadian treat – wiki says Date squares are also known as Matrimonial Squares or Newfoundland Date Crumbles!

But in my humble opinion, the very best date squares recipe I’ve ever eaten comes from the one I’m about to share with you and that was created by my Grandma Snider.

You may need:

This recipe uses a 9 X 9 baking pan, but if you double the recipe it’s perfect for a 13 X 9 baking pan and that means freezing some for yummy treats later!

We’ve included equipment information in the recipe below.

How to store leftover date bars

Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container. This is the best way to keep them fresh! They don’t have to be kept in the fridge, either.

 

I’ve featured some of Grandma’s recipes before, she was an amazing cook and baker!   This easy recipe will quickly become a family favorite.

You may also like….

Date Squares are a Canadian speciality, just like Nanaimo Bars, and Butter Tarts!

Also known as Newfoundland Date Crumbles, we love this truly Canadian Recipe. Here are some of my Grandma’s other recipes you can find on the blog:

• Orange Cranberry Bundt Cake
• Homemade Butter Tarts
• Chocolate Fudge Cake
• The Best Homemade Pumpkin Pie
• What is The Secret To Make Perfect Flaky Pie Crust

 

Dates Squares – A Wonderful Old Fashioned Recipe!

Our Date Squares are a moist soft bar, full of sweet dates, butter, brown sugar and yummy oatmeal.

The crumble top browns only slightly, and folks often serve date squares just like a slice of cake!

We like to cut them into small squares, so they can be eaten with your fingers, and of course that always mean you can have seconds, right? Or thirds?!? LOL. Enjoy this old fashioned recipe. Your friends and family will definitely love it!

If you like this homemade date squares recipe, please give it a 5 star rating. xo

Thank you!

For taking the time to stop by, read the post and recipe, and just hang out with me for awhile. I hope you visit some of our posts too.

And if you are interested in slowing life down, just a smidge, then be sure to visit Living Simply. Lots of good stuff there too!

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