Old-fashioned date squares

485

PREP TIME

20 min

TOTAL TIME

1 h 5 min

Makes

24 squares

Old-fashioned date squares

Date squares. (Photo, Erik Putz.)

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.

How to make breakfast power bars (secret ingredient: dates!)

Nutrition (per square)

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

Shopping tip: No need to splurge on Medjool dates for this recipe: We also tested it with packages cooking dates, and the squares were just as delicious!

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