Date squares recipe

Soft, chewy, and brimming with old-fashioned charm, Gramma’s Date Squares offer a delightful blend of sweet date filling nestled between buttery oat crumb layers. This classic date squares recipe is perfect for pairing with your afternoon coffee or enjoying as a comforting treat anytime. Its nostalgic flavors and simple ingredients make it a beloved dessert that’s easy to bake and hard to resist.

Origin Gramma’s Date Squares

Date squares, also called matrimonial cake or date bars, have been a beloved recipe in Canadian and American kitchens for generations. They became popular in the early 1900s as dates grew more widely available and remain a classic today.

What I Love About This Recipe

They’re simple, comforting, and taste like something straight from Grandma’s kitchen. The rich date filling contrasts beautifully with the crisp oat crumble.

Also Read : Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Gramma’s Date Squares

Recipe by RecipeWikkiCourse: Dessert, Snack, Baked GoodsCuisine: Canadian, North American, TraditionalDifficulty: Medium

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

350

kcal

Gramma’s Date Squares are a nostalgic homemade treat featuring a sweet date filling layered between buttery oat crumble. This classic Canadian recipe brings comfort and warmth, perfect for teatime or a cozy dessert.

Ingredients

• 3 cups chopped pitted dates

• 1 cup water

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1¾ cups rolled oats

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
• In a medium saucepan, combine dates, water, and granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until dates are soft and mixture is thickened, about 8–10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
• Cut in softened butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
• Press half of the crumb mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.
• Spread the date filling evenly over the crust.
• Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top, pressing gently to adhere.
• Bake 25–30 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
• Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

Notes

• For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the crumb mixture.
• you can use quick oats in a pinch, but rolled oats give better texture.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.