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Old-Fashioned Date Squares

1375

  • Prep Time20 mins
  • Total Time1 hr 5 mins
  • Makes24 squares
Old-Fashioned Date Squares
Chatelaine Triple Tested

Delicious date squares are a simple blend of brown sugar, oats, butter and sweet dates—a comforting treat for a cozy winter afternoon. If there's a baked-goods equivalent to a hug, this is it.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups pitted dates

  • 1 1/2 cups water

  • 2 tsp vanilla

  • 1 3/4 cups large-flake oats

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup packed brown sugar

  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter

Instructions

  • PREHEAT oven to 350F. Lightly spray an 8-in. square glass or metal baking pan with oil and line with overhanging parchment.

  • COMBINE dates with water in a medium saucepan over high. Boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until thick, 6 to 8 min. Remove from heat.

  • STIR in vanilla and let cool.

  • COMBINE oats, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a food processor. Pulse 3 times to combine. Add butter and pulse until oat mixture is crumbly (pea-sized). Transfer to a large bowl and quickly crumble with fingers to evenly distribute the butter. Spread two-thirds of oat mixture over bottom of prepared pan. Press down gently to make a crust. Scrape date mixture over crust and spread evenly. Layer with remaining oat mixture and press down lightly.

  • BAKE in centre of oven until top is golden brown, 30 to 35 min. Transfer to a rack and cool completely in pan, about 1 hour. Cut into 16 squares.


Nutrition (per square)

Calories 196, Protein 2g, Carbohydrates 30g, Fat 8g, Fibre 2g, Sodium 55mg.

A single date square, shown from the side on a white plate

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!

Assorted cookies on a pink background with the words in white "Find more Christmas cookie recipes"

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