Date Squares - Joyofbaking.com *Video Recipe* (2024)

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Date Squares - Joyofbaking.com *Video Recipe* (1) Date Squares - Joyofbaking.com *Video Recipe* (2)
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Date Squares are also called Date Slices or even Matrimonial Bars. They consist of two buttery layers of an oatmeal shortbread crust that are sandwiched together with pureed dried dates scented with vanilla. Growing up, Date Squares were a regular part of my mother's baking. Yet once I got married I somehow forgot all about them. It wasn't until I was browsing through Rose Carrarini's inspiring book "Breakfast Lunch Tea" that I discovered this delicious square once again. I just love their wonderfully sweet yet earthy flavor. Absolutely perfect with a hot cup of tea.

As their name implies, the main component of Date Squares is dates. Dates are the fruit of the palm tree, that grow in large bunches, with each date measuring up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length. They have a high sugar content and are also a good source of protein plus Vitamins A & B. For this recipe we are using dried pitted dates and I usually buy the ones that are packed in plastic containers. You can often find them in the produce section of your grocery store.

To make the date filling, the dates are first cooked in water to soften their tough outer skin. We then add a little vanilla extract (could also add a little orange or lemon zest) and let them cool before pureeing in a food processor or blender until fairly smooth (a few lumps are okay). After that is done, we need to make the oatmeal crust which, again, is easily done in the food processor. This is really an oatmeal "shortbread" crust. It has a fairly high butter content and there is no egg. For this recipe I like to use old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick-cooking as I prefer their thicker texture and flavor. Also, make sure that your butter is cold and cut it into small cubes. Pulse the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture just begins to come together. Then the layering of the ingredients begins. First, two thirds of the oatmeal crust is pressed onto the bottom of our pan. The date puree is then spread over the crust and then the rest of the dough is crumbled over the dates. Gently press down to compact the top crust. The squares are baked until golden brown. The longer they bake the more crisp and chewy they will become. To make it easier to cut these squares, it is best to chill them first. Date Squares will keep up to a week in the refrigerator.

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DateFilling: Place the pitted dates and water in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat,stirring occasionally, until the dates are soft and have absorbed most of thewater (about 5 - 10 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Letcool to room temperature and then puree in your food processor until fairly smooth(a few lumps are fine).

Next, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (180degrees C) and place the oven rack in the center of the oven.Butter(or spray with a non stick cooking spray) a9 inch (23 cm)square baking pan.Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.

Oatmeal Crust: In the bowl ofyour food processor, place the oats, flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Pulse to combine. Then add the butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly and just begins to come together. Press about two-thirds (450 grams) of the mixtureonto the base of the prepared pan.

Spread thedate puree evenly over the oatmeal crust. Sprinkle the remaining batter evenly over the top of the dates. Then press down gentlyto compact. Bake for about 30- 40 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a wire rack to cool. Once thesquares have cooled, cover the pan with plastic wrap, and place in therefrigerator at least one hour or until firm enough to easily cut into squares.

These will keep,covered, in the refrigerator up to a week.

Makes about 20 - 2inch (5 cm) squares.

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Date Squares - Joyofbaking.com *Video Recipe* (9)

Date Filling:

3 cups (400 grams) pitted dried dates, coarsely chopped

1 cup (240 ml) filtered water

1 teaspoon (4 grams) pure vanilla extract

Oatmeal Crust:

2 cups (180 grams) old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup (130 grams) all purpose flour

3/4 cup (160 grams) light brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) baking soda

1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

1 cup (225 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

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Date Squares - Joyofbaking.com *Video Recipe* (2024)

FAQs

Are date squares Canadian? ›

A date square is a Canadian dessert or bar cookie made of cooked dates with an oatmeal crumb topping. In the western provinces and states it is known as matrimonial cake. In Eastern Canada it can also be known as date crumbles.

How to prepare dates for baking? ›

Make sure to use fresh soft dates.

If the dates you're using are a bit dry, you can place them in a bowl of water and heat them in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. You can also heat them on the stovetop with a few teaspoons of water. Either technique will soften them up. They will also soften more as they bake.

How many calories are in a date square? ›

Casse Noisette Date Squares (1 � slice) contains 38g total carbs, 36g net carbs, 8g fat, 2g protein, and 230 calories.

Why are date squares called matrimonial squares? ›

Baked into the old adage

Others on the prairies recall they were named Matrimonial Bars because they were “a couple of crumbs stuck together by a few dates.” Or that they represented marriage because the bars had “a firm foundation and a sweet centre, though it looked a bit rocky.”

What is so special about Medjool dates? ›

Medjool dates can help you increase the potassium in your diet, supporting these nervous system functions. The B vitamins in Medjool dates, such as pantothenic acid, folate, and niacin, help manage the metabolic processes that convert food to energy. Research shows this can help fight tiredness and fatigue.

Do Canadians write dates like Americans? ›

The YYYY - MM - DD format is the only officially recommended method of writing a numeric date in Canada. The presence of the DD / MM / YY (most of the world) and MM / DD / YY (American) formats often results in misinterpretation.

Can diabetics eat dates? ›

Dates fruit is known for its great nutritional value and two to three servings of dates fruit/day are beneficial for patients with diabetes.

Do you need to soak dates before baking? ›

Dried dates are ready to use straight away - just slice off from the block or pick as many of you need from the box, but you can also soak them in a liquid like tea or various types of alcohol, to boost flavour and moisture.

Are dates healthier than sugar? ›

It is important to note that although dates are high in fiber and nutrients, they are still fairly high in calories and best consumed in moderation. Dates are a healthy substitute for white sugar in recipes due to their sweet taste, nutrients, fiber and antioxidants.

How many calories in a homemade date square? ›

Nutrition (per square)

Calories 196, Protein 2g, Carbohydrates 30g, Fat 8g, Fibre 2g, Sodium 55mg. Shopping tip No need to splurge on Medjool dates for this recipe. We also tested it with packaged pitted dates, and the squares were just as delicious!

How much sugar is in a date square? ›

Date Squares
Nutrition Facts
How much sugar is in Date Squares? Amount of sugar in Date Squares: Sugar 35.5g-
How much fiber is in Date Squares? Amount of fiber in Date Squares: Fiber 6.1g25%
How much glucose is in Date Squares? Amount of glucose in Date Squares: Glucose 17.7g
69 more rows

How many calories are in 2 Medjool dates? ›

Medjool dates are a concentrated source of healthy nutrients. Just 2 dates (48 grams) provide ( 1 ): Calories: 133. Carbs: 36 grams.

What are the fruit dates? ›

What are Dates? Dates are basically tropical fruits that are grown on date palm trees. It's scientifically known as Phoenix Dactylifera and is one of the healthiest fruits in the world. Dates are categorized as dry fruits and have been an important part of West Asian heritage.

Why is it called matrimonial cake in Canada? ›

This lovingly paired combination of a crumbly oatmeal base and the sweet and chewy date filling supposedly gets its name from an old custom of breaking the cake over the heads of newlyweds.

What is a matrimonial cake Manitoba slang? ›

Matrimonial cake: A type of dainty, consisting of a date filling between two layers of oatmeal shortbread. Commonly known as a “date square” in most other jurisdictions.

How does Canada display dates? ›

Use YYYY-MM-DD to write the date in the international standard format. This is the most common way to write a numerical date in Canada. If you see a form indicating that the date must be written in this format, this means that you write the year (YYYY) first, the month (MM) second, and the day (DD) last.

How to soften brown sugar? ›

Place brown sugar into a bowl and place in microwave. Fill another bowl with water and place in microwave with brown sugar. Microwave for 1 minute and check brown sugar. If it is still hard, try it for 30 seconds longer.

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