Old Fashioned Date Squares




A classic date square is so comforting with a cup of tea or hot chocolate on a wintry day.

Makes 1 8-inch (20 cm) square pan
16 squares

Date Filling:
3 cups (750 mL)
1 1/2 tbsp (22 mL)
1 1/2 tbsp (22 mL)
1 cup (250 mL)
pitted dates
finely grated lemon zest
unsalted butter
apple juice

 

Crumble:
2 1/2 cups (625 mL)
1 1/4 cups (310 mL)
1 cup (250 mL)
2 tsp (10 mL)
1/2 tsp (2 mL)
1 cup (250 mL)
rolled oats (regular or quick cook)
all purpose or whole wheat flour
golden brown sugar, packed
ground cinnamon
fine salt
unsalted butter, melted

 

For filling, place all ingredients in a pot and bring up to a boil. Remove from heat and let dates sit and soak until room temperature. Purée until smooth and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350° F (180 C). Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan and line bottom with parchment paper so that the paper hangs over the edge of the pan on 2 sides. Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Stir in butter and blend until an even crumbly texture. Press half of the crumble into the bottom of prepared pan. Spread date filling over base and top with remaining crumble (not pressing). Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top of crumble begins to brown. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.