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
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
- Combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
- 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.
- Press approximately two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan, creating a compact base layer.
- 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.
- Spread the date mixture evenly over the prepared crust, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the date filling, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the edges start to crisp.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour.
- 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