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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Dad's Date Squares

    Published on March 20, 2017 - Updated on January 13, 2023 by Chef Rodney - 1 Comment - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    date squares
    My Dad's Date Squares are delicious and make an Awesome Treat. I guess they would even qualify as a dessert. You have got to try these!
     
    date squares

    Oh, how my Dad loved Date Squares. I remember trying these for the first time when I was 5 or 6 years old. Not sure what I loved more, the crunchy sweet topping or the sweet filling. In any case, here is my Dad's Date Squares recipe.

    date squares

    It was probably a good thing my parents didn't tell me what the filling was made of. Not sure I would've enjoyed them as much as I did. In any case, here’s my old family recipe for you to enjoy.

    date squares

    If you are curious about where this recipe comes from, I was able to find this interesting article on the Origins of Date Squares. I didn't realize it was a Canadian dessert. Cool! Besides my Cinnamon Sugar Beaver Tails, I need to find other unique Canadian Desserts.

    date squares

    💭 What are Dates

    A date is a sweet fruit used in a variety of recipes. They also provide a wide variety of essential nutrients. Besides being a very good source of Potassium, dates also provide protein and fiber.

    queen elizabeth cake

    While you are here I suggest you check out all my other delicious Canadian Recipes. Some of the recipes are new while others are well over 50 years old but they all originated in Canada.

    For more great recipes like this one, I suggest you check these recipes out:

    • queen elizabeth cake
      Queen Elizabeth Cake

    📋 What Ingredients do I need

    You will need the following ingredients to make this Date Squares recipe (see recipe card for quantities): Oatmeal, All Purpose Flour, Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Light Brown Sugar, Unsalted Butter, Dates, Water and Vanilla Extract.

    🥣 How to make Date Squares

    Preheat oven to 325°F.
    Mix all of the oatmeal mixture ingredients together and add half of the mixture to a greased 9 x 13 pan. Press the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
    In a saucepan, mix dates, water, and vanilla extract and cook over medium heat until the dates are mushy and most of the water has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to ensure the dates don't stick to the bottom of the pot.
    Add date filing and cover the entire oatmeal mixture. Use the rest of the oatmeal mixture to cover the entire date mixture, gently patting it down so you have some crumbles left.
    Bake for 45 minutes. The top should be slightly brown. Let the dish completely cool down before cutting and serving.

    date squares

    Dad's Date Squares

    My Dad's Date Squares are delicious and make an Awesome Treat. I guess they would even qualify as a dessert. You have got to try these!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Canadian
    Servings 12
    Calories 388 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    OATMEAL MIXTURE

    • 2 ½ Cups Oatmeal
    • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • ½ Cup Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, melted

    DATE FILLING

    • 1 lbs Dates, chopped
    • 3 Cups Water
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 325°F.
    • Mix all of the oatmeal mixture ingredients together and add half of the mixture to a greased 9 x 13 pan. Press the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
    • In a sauce pan, mix dates, water and vanilla and cook over medium heat until the dates are mushy and most of the water has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to ensure the dates don't stick to the bottom of the pot.
    • Add date filing and cover the entire oatmeal mixture. Use the rest of the oatmeal mixture to cover the entire date mixture, gently patting it down so you have some crumbles left.
    • Bake for 45 minutes. Top should be slightly brown. Let dish completely cool down before cutting and serving.

    Notes

    → If you are chopping the dates by hand, here are 2 ways to do it cleanly. If you are using scissors, run them under hot water to prevent the dates from sticking to the blades. If you using a knife, run them under hot water as well or you can spray the knife with a little cooking spray.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 388kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 293mgPotassium: 363mgFiber: 4gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 475IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 1.9mg

    Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

    Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

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    Reader Interactions

    1 Comment

    1. Sharon

      April 01, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      I made these for a get together at work and they were so simple and delicious to make. Everyone loved them. I must have given out the recipe a dozen times. Not too sweet but very delicious. I also put a dozen in the freezer for when company comes. Two thumbs up.

      Reply

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