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    Home » Recipes » Bars Brownies & Slices » Date Squares | Classic Recipe

    Date Squares | Classic Recipe

    Published: Sep 10, 2021 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Old fashioned Date Squares are made with a crunchy base, a sweet date filling and an oat crumble topping. This classic recipe (also known as matrimonial cake) takes just 20 minutes to prepare and is perfect served for afternoon tea with a cup of coffee.

    A layered slice filled with dates and a rolled oats crumble topping

    Some of the most popular slice recipes on Bake Play Smile are the old fashioned ones!

    You know, the ones that your grandma used to make out of her very well worn CWA cookbook.

    Classic recipes - like raspberry coconut slice, chocolate coconut slice, lemon slice, hedgehog slice and these date squares are just as popular today as were 50 years ago!

    Squares of a oat & date slice on a white dish, with a golden crumble topping

    Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

    This sweet and crunchy date slice is always popular for morning or afternoon tea.

    • Basic ingredients - there are no fancy or expensive ingredients needed - just a few basic pantry staples
    • Budget-friendly - rolled oats and dates, two of the main ingredients, are both very reasonably priced. This entire slice will set you back just a few dollars
    • Healthy - rolled oats are a great source of carbs and fibre, loaded with vitamins and minerals, and known for helping to lower cholesterol. Rolled oats are also higher in protein than many other grains. Dates are an excellent natural sweetener and are high in fibre, potassium and anti-oxidants.
    • Versatile - This simple slice is prefect served as a slice with a cuppa or as a sweet dessert. I just love sitting down with a cup of coffee and an energy boosting date square to munch on, (especially when I hit that mid-afternoon 'slump'), but you can also warm it up, add a big scoop of vanilla ice-cream and serve it as a rich, decadent dessert.
    Four squares of a crumble and date slice, served on a white cake stand

    What You Need

    Just a few basic ingredients are needed to make this old fashioned date squares recipe.

    Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.

    All the ingredients for date squares in individual bowls
    • plain flour - also know as all purpose flour
    • rolled oats - use plain rolled oats instead of instant or quick oats for best results
    • salt
    • bicarbonate soda - also known as baking soda. It's ingredient is sodium bicarbonate and this creates a different reaction to baking powder when used in baking
    • raw sugar - also known as granulated sugar
    • brown sugar - either light or dark brown sugar are fine to use, however I prefer to use 'light' as the dates give the slice a rich caramelised flavour on their own
    • butter - I use unsalted butter in this recipe, however if you only have salted butter, simply omit the ½ tsp of salt
    • pitted dates - dried pitted dates are easily found in the baking section of your supermarket
    • vanilla extract - or vanilla essence or vanilla bean paste
    • water

    Step By Step Instructions

    A simple melt and mix date squares recipe that is easy enough for beginner cooks to master, but also loved by those who are more experienced in the kitchen.

    Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.

    Step 1 - Prepare The Mix

    Preheat your oven to 160 degrees (fan forced) and grease and line a slice tin, allowing the edges of a sheet of baking paper to overhang.

    Add the dry ingredients to a large bowl.

    Brown and raw sugar added to oats and flour in a glass bowl

    Mix through to combine.

    Dry ingredients in a glass bowl with a spoon

    Add the melted butter and vanilla extract.

    Melted butter added to dry ingredients in a glass bowl

    Stir gently until all ingredients are well combined.

    The rolled oats mixture in a glass bowl with a spoon

    Step 2 - Bake Your Base

    Press half the crumble mixture into your slice tin.

    TIP: Use the back of a spoon to press the mixture down firmly and evenly.

    Half the rolled oats mixture pressed into a lined baking tain

    Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden.

    The base layer of date squares baked golden in a slice tin.

    Remove from the oven (but leave your oven on to cook the filling and topping).

    Step 3 - Cook The Date Mixture

    Chop the pitted dates and place in a saucepan along with the water and butter.

    Chopped dates, water and butter in a saucepan

    Over medium heat, stirring occasionally, simmer for approximately 10 minutes and then allow to cool slightly. Spread thickened date mixture over the baked base layer.

    NOTE: using all of the date mixture will give you a very thick middle layer. Use as much or as little of the date mixture as you like. I personally like my middle layer quite thick, whereas some others prefer a thinner layer in the middle and therefore could reduce quantities to ½ - ⅔ of the date mixture.

    A thick layer of cooked dates spread over base layer

    Step 4 - Add Your Crumble Topping

    Sprinkle the remaining rolled oats mixture evenly over the date layer, and then place into the oven to cook.

    Crumble topping sprinkled over date layer in a slice tin

    Expert Tips And FAQS

    Can I use fresh medjool dates?

    Yes, you could, however they are considerably more expensive than the dried pitted dates that I have used in this date squares recipe. I recommend using dried pitted dates for this recipe.

    I don't have unsalted butter, can I use salted butter?

    Of course, simply omit the ½ tsp of salt in the recipe.

    I don't want a thick layer of dates, how do I reduce the quantity?

    Sure, the date layer certainly adds to the sweetness of this slice, however you could reduce this by halving or using two-thirds of the dates, water and butter in the date mixture to make a thinner layer.

    Storing

    Date squares can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

    Freezing

    This date square slice can be stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost before consuming or before reheating as a dessert.

    Looking down on a white cake stand with four squares of an oat & date slice

    Related Recipes

    Dates add such a great natural sweetness to baking, they're healthy and so versatile too! Here's a few favorite recipes made with dates.

    • Healthy ABCD Muffins - such a firm favourite, filled with apple, banana, coconut and dates
    • Date Slice - just 10 minutes prep time and 6 basic ingredients
    • Sticky Date Pudding with Caramel Sauce - hello, everyone's winter comfort pudding!
    • Healthy Oat & Date Slice - full of healthy ingredients like dates, oats, honey, chia seeds and LSA (a mix of linseed, sunflower seeds and ground almonds) this is a hugely popular recipe!

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

    A piece of crumble slice with a date filling.

    Date Squares

    Delicious date squares made with a crunchy crumble topping and a smooth, sweet date filling. An old fashioned favourite.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: sweet
    Cuisine: Slices
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 38 minutes
    Chilling time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 58 minutes
    Servings: 16 serves
    Calories: 359kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 115 g (1¼ cups) plain flour
    • 110 g (1¼ cups) rolled oats
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp bi-carb soda
    • 100 g (½ cup) raw sugar
    • 80 g (½ cup) brown sugar packed
    • 170 g (¾ cup) unsalted butter melted
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 400 g dried pitted dates
    • 400 g (ml) water
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 30 g butter
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    Conventional Method

    • Preheat oven to 160 degrees fan forced. Grease and line a 17cm x 28cm slice tray with baking paper, allowing the edges to overhang.
    • In a large bowl, mix together flour, rolled oats, salt and bi-carb soda. Stir in the raw sugar and brown sugar and mix until all combined.
    • Pour melted butter and vanilla extract over the dry ingredients. Stir mixture until well combined.
    • Spread half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared tin and press into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and put aside (leave the oven turned on).
    • Meanwhile, chop the pitted dates and place them into a saucepan along with the water and butter.
    • Stir over medium heat until the dates have softened and the mixture has thickened (approx 10 minutes). Allow to cool slightly.
    • Pour the date mixture over the cooked oat base and spread out evenly.
    • Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the top of the date layer.
    • Bake in oven for 23 - 26 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
    • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight) then take it out and cut into squares.
    • Store in airtight container in refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 1 week.

    Thermomix Method

    • Preheat oven to 160 degrees fan forced. Grease and line a 17cm x 28cm slice tray with baking paper, allowing the edges to overhang.
    • Melt the butter and vanilla in the Thermomix bowl for 3 minutes, Speed 2, 50 degrees.
    • Add the plain flour, rolled oats, salt, bi-carb soda, brown sugar and raw sugar. Mix for 20 seconds on Reverse, Speed 2. Scrape down the sides. Mix for a further 20 seconds on Reverse, Speed 2.
    • Spread half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared tray and press firmly into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and put aside (leave the oven turned on).
    • Place the dates into a clean Thermomix bowl. Chop for 10 seconds, Speed 9. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the water and butter and mix for 6 minutes, Reverse, Speed 3, 90 degrees. Pour into a bowl and allow to cool slightly.
    • Pour the date mixture over the cooked oat base and spread out evenly.
    • Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the top of the date layer. Bake in oven for 23 – 26 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
    • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight) then take it out and cut into squares.
    • Store in airtight container in refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 1 week.

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    Ingredients Info:
    • Dried pitted dates are easily found in the baking section of your supermarket
     More Recipe Tips:
    • Date layer - the date layer in the middle is deliciously thick if you follow my recipe exactly. However, if you prefer a thinner date filling then you can reduce the date filling ingredients (dates, water and butter) by half.
    • Storing - date squares can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
    • Freezing - this date square slice can be stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost before consuming or before reheating as a dessert.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy

      November 23, 2020 at 8:38 pm

      5 stars
      Easy to follow and reminded me of my childhood!
      I used half the amount of dates and it was still plenty.

      Reply
      • Lucy

        November 24, 2020 at 5:09 pm

        That's so great to hear Amy!

        Reply
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    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

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