Date Squares

Date squares. Date cake. Date bars. Matrimonial squares. Matrimonial cake.

What do YOU call these? (Apparently the “matrimonial” term is just a Western Canada thing…who knew?)

I’m probably one of 10 people under the age of 70 who like date squares. My husband is the second person. These have become his new favorite, replacing brownies and chocolate chip cookies…something I never dreamed would happen.

I think date squares are a very big misconception. People think a) they’re old people food and b) they’re dry. If you think either of those things, I can tell you right now: you have never had a GOOD date square. Because believe me, there are good date squares and then there are bad date squares.

My Mama made the best date squares, and I convinced all my friends to like date squares when I was nice enough to share my coveted treat at recess. Both of our recipes come from the classic Company’s Coming Best Squares cookbook. My Mom has always made changes to her version, and on my first attempt to make them, I was trying to contact her to find out what the changes were. I knew she reduced the sugar and I thought she added ground almonds to the crust. Alas, I couldn’t reach her because she was on a beach in Mexico (that bum!), so I just went ahead. As it turns out, she does not add almonds, but it was so darn good with the addition that I’ve stuck with it ever since.

Don’t worry too much about whether your dates are chopped small enough or not….they soften so much that it becomes a paste.

 Recipe adapted from Company’s Coming Best Squares cookbook.

Print Recipe

Date Squares

Course: Dessert

Servings: 16 squares

Author: The Gourmet Housewife

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats
• 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup chopped almonds optional
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• 1 cup butter softened
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Filling

• 1 1/2 cups chopped pitted dates
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8 inch square pan and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, almonds, brown sugar, butter, baking soda and salt. Mix until crumbly. Press 1/2 of the mixture into the prepared pan, set aside remaining oat mixture.
• In a medium saucepan, combine dates, water and granulated sugar. Bring to a boil on medium. Reduce heat to medium low. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes, until dates are softened and water is almost evaporated.
• Spread filling evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture evenly over top. Press down gently.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, until golden brown