Gramma’s Sweet Legacy: Old-Fashioned Date Squares Recipe

Grandma’s cherished date squares bring comfort straight from her cozy Canadian kitchen.

Sweet memories dance through each crumbly, buttery bite.

Generations have savored this nostalgic treat passed down with love.

Warm oat crumbles meet caramelized date filling in perfect harmony.

Rustic and simple, these squares connect you to childhood moments.

Seasonal ingredients blend into a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

You won’t be able to resist trying this classic family recipe.

What Makes Grammas Date Squares So Special

• Savor Nostalgic Comfort: Classic date squares capture the warmth of homemade baking with minimal effort.
• Customize Your Delight: Easily swap dates with other dried fruits like apricots or figs to create personalized variations that suit your taste preferences.
• Master Simple Baking Techniques: Learn fundamental pastry skills like creating crumb mixtures and achieving perfect golden-brown crusts through this approachable recipe.
• Family-Friendly Dessert: A crowd-pleasing treat that appeals to all ages, perfect for sharing during gatherings or enjoying with afternoon tea.

What You’ll Need for Grammas Date Squares

• Rolled Oats: A hearty and nutritious grain that provides a delightful texture to the base of the squares.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind the crumb mixture and creates a sturdy foundation for the dessert.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness and helps create a crumbly texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures a light and slightly raised base for the squares.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the dessert.

• Cold Butter: Adds richness and helps create a flaky, crumbly texture in the base and topping.

• Dates: Provide a natural, sweet filling with a smooth and luscious consistency.
• Water: Helps soften and break down the dates during cooking.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a subtle brightness and helps prevent the dates from browning.

• Powdered Sugar: Offers a delicate sweet dusting and adds a decorative touch to the squares.

How to Make Grammas Date Squares the Classic Way

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting edges hang over for easy square removal later.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Rolled oats
• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Blend everything together until perfectly combined.

Step 3: Create Crumbly Base

Take cold butter and slice into tiny cubes. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work butter into dry ingredients until the mixture looks like rough, sandy crumbs.

Step 4: Form First Layer

Press about two-thirds of the crumbly mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Create a compact, even base layer that will support the date filling.

Step 5: Cook Date Filling

• Dates
• Water
• Lemon juice

Simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let dates soften and break down until they transform into a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Step 6: Spread Date Layer

Pour the warm date mixture over the crust. Spread evenly across the surface, making sure every corner gets covered.

Step 7: Add Crumble Topping

Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the date filling. Create a rustic, textured top that will turn golden and crispy.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top becomes golden brown and edges look crisp and delightful.

Step 9: Cool and Set

Remove from oven and let the squares cool completely in the pan. This takes about one hour and helps them set properly.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Lift squares out using parchment paper overhang. Cut into neat squares. Dust with powdered sugar for a sweet finishing touch before serving.

Tips Passed Down for Grammas Date Squares

• Boost Oat Flavor: Toast rolled oats in a dry skillet before mixing to enhance their nutty, rich taste and add depth to the crumb layers.
• Create Smooth Date Filling: Use a potato masher or immersion blender to achieve a silky, uniform texture without large date chunks.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Ensure the bottom crust is fully baked by checking for a light golden color and firm texture before adding the date layer.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Substitute regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
• Control Sweetness Level: Reduce brown sugar slightly and choose naturally sweet dates to balance the overall sweetness of the dessert.

New Takes on Grammas Date Squares

• Nutty Crunch Edition: Replace half the oats with chopped almonds or pecans for extra texture and rich, toasted flavor.
• Chocolate Lovers' Version: Mix dark chocolate chips into the crumb mixture and drizzle melted chocolate over the finished squares for intense cocoa indulgence.
• Tropical Fruit Fusion: Swap dates with a combination of dried pineapple and coconut, adding a bright, exotic sweetness to the classic recipe.
• Spiced Autumn Squares: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger into the crumb mixture for a warm, comforting seasonal variation.

What to Enjoy with Grammas Date Squares

• Pair Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream balances the warm, rich date squares with a delightful temperature contrast.
• Complement Chai Tea: Spicy, aromatic chai tea enhances the date squares' sweetness and adds complexity to each bite.
• Match Caramel Macchiato: Smooth coffee with caramel notes perfectly mirrors the deep, sweet flavors of the date filling.
• Serve Whipped Mascarpone: Light, silky mascarpone cream provides a luxurious, tangy accompaniment that cuts through the dessert's richness.

Storing Grammas Date Squares the Easy Way

• Store date squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their delicious texture.
• Wrap the entire uncut pan tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months for convenient long-term storage.
• Separate squares with parchment paper, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 2 months, allowing easy single-serving thawing.
• Keep at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, ideal for short-term enjoyment and quick snacking.

Grammas Date Squares: FAQs You’ll Want to Know

• Are dates healthy in this recipe?

Dates are packed with fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, providing natural sweetness and nutritional benefits without processed sugar.

• Can I use different types of dates?

Medjool dates work best due to their soft, creamy texture and rich flavor, but Deglet Noor dates are also suitable for this recipe.

• How do I know when the date filling is ready?

The date mixture should look smooth and spreadable, with no large chunks, and have a jam-like consistency when stirred.

• What's the best way to cut these squares evenly?

Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for precise, clean edges, ensuring each square looks neat and professional.

Grammas Date Squares Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 55-60 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Grandma’s date squares blend nostalgic Canadian prairie comfort with sweet, buttery goodness. Crumbly oat layers sandwich rich date filling, promising a delightful slice of homemade heritage you’ll savor with each memorable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust and Topping:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.25 tsp salt

Filling:

• 2 cups pitted dates
• 0.5 cup water
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Optional Garnish:

• 1 tsp powdered sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
2. Combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
3. Cut cold butter into small cubes and work it into the dry ingredients using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Press approximately two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan, creating a compact base layer.
5. In a small saucepan, simmer dates with water and lemon juice over medium heat, stirring frequently until the dates break down and form a smooth, spreadable consistency.
6. Spread the date mixture evenly over the prepared crust, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
7. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the date filling, creating a rustic, textured topping.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the edges start to crisp.
9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour.
10. Lift the squares out using the parchment paper overhang, cut into squares, and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

• Swap dates with other dried fruits like figs or apricots for a unique twist on this classic dessert.
• Enhance the nutritional value by using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour for added fiber and texture.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting oats and flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or certified gluten-free oats.
• Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, adjusting the liquid ratio accordingly to maintain the perfect consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Canadian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg