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Date Squares (The Best)
Date Squares (The Best)
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Date Squares (The Best)

5 stars (351) Rate this recipe
Preparation
20 MIN
Cooking
1 H 5 MIN
Makes
9 to 16 squares
Freezes
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Ingredients

Filling

Crisp

Preparation

  1. With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350 °F (180 °C). Line a 20-cm (8-inch) square baking dish with a strip of parchment paper, letting it hang over both sides. Butter the other two sides.

Filling

  1. In a pot, bring the dates, water, lemon juice, and brown sugar to a boil. Add the baking soda and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, or until the dates have fallen apart. Let cool.

Crisp

  1. In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, and baking powder. Add the butter and stir to combine.
  2. Spread half the crisp in the baking dish and press firmly. Layer with the date mixture. Cover with the remaining crisp and press lightly. Bake for 55 minutes or until the crisp is golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack for 4 hours. Unmould and cut into 16 squares.

Note

If you can’t find Medjool dates, use regular dried dates.

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Comments

  1. Good, but not as good as mamie’s. They need more butter. The top was just a tad too crispy, and it didn’t stay in square shape when cut like mamie’s. I’ll definitely try this recipe again but with a bit less flour and a bit more butter. The flavor was spot on, just the texture that left something to be desired. Also, I baked them as directed and the bottom is a bit burnt, so if your oven runs hot like mine pull them out at 40-45! This contributed to my drier texture so I’ll definitely give them another go.

  2. The best! I added a bit of vanilla to the date filling

  3. Wow, is this ever yummy! And I don't even like dates. I followed the recipe exactly and my husband and I both loved it!

  4. These date squares are delightfully delicious! Thanks Ricardo!

  5. silky smooth

  6. I make this using green tomato mincemeat instead of the date mixture. SOOOO good.

  7. Really good. I doubled it and used dates that were pre chopped. I don't like really sweet date square so I omitted the sugar and replaced about a third of the water with coffee. It brought out the date flavor without being bitter.

  8. I do this recipe with 50% dates 50% dried cranberry. Add vanilla and sometimes cereal granola type. Finish with honey on top wow

  9. How many calories par square?

  10. Made exactly as per recipe and it's outstanding. We're from Quebec the province ;) and these are a staple here, you can buy date squares at corner stores, by the piece! husband is in heaven...took me awhile to make them, but easy and delicious. Mine are gluten free, so our daughter can eat them. Used her 'flour' .. don't hesitate!!

  11. Absolutely the BEST date square recipe I have made/eaten. Super easy. Another terrific Ricardo recipe

  12. I usually increase the dates to about 3 or 4 cups and then the rest accordingly. To Sharon R: I think you may have missed the 3/4 cups of brown sugar in the crisp.

  13. easy to make and very tastey, not too sweet, just right. thank you for the easy ones.

  14. Not sweet enough. You should add sugar to the oatmeal mixture.

  15. Wonderful and super easy!

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Healthy Pick

Recipes with the "Healthy Pick" stamp have been evaluated by a registered dietitian member of the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec.