Delicious layers of chewy sweet centers with a cinnamon crumble topping, these date squares are sweet and delicious to enjoy for a tasty treat or a quick snack.
I have a slight sweet tooth, and sometimes I just crave a sweet treat but want something without loads of sugar. Strawberry yogurt popsicles, date sweetened ice cream, and these date squares are some of my go-to recipes when I want something with less refined sugar.
These date squares are a delight. Made up of an indulgent buttery bottom crust, a sweet date filling, and topped with a crumbly cinnamon topping, they are hard to resist. Pair them with some fresh whipped cream, or enjoy with a hot cup of coffee. These old-fashioned date squares, also known as matrimonial squares, are the perfect dessert everyone will love!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Lower sugar – These delicious date squares are a great recipe to make when you are cravings sweets, but want something with a little bit less refined sugar.
Simple – This old-fashioned treat comes together quickly with simple ingredients and is easy to throw together for a tasty dessert.
Delicious – Not only do these treats have fiber, vitamins, and minerals because of the dates, but they are also so delicious and sure to be loved by your family.
Ingredients
Unsweetened apple cider – If you don’t have apple cider, you can substitute it with orange juice.
All purpose flour – You can use spelt flour if you would like to go with an ancient grain that is easier to digest.
Brown sugar – You can substitute coconut sugar for brown sugar if you want to cut out refined sugar completely.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Tools You May Need
- 8×8 inch square baking pan
How to Make Date Squares
Step 1: With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper or grease the baking dish with a bit of butter.
In a medium saucepan, bring the dates, apple cider, lemon juice, orange juice, orange zest or lemon zest, and salt to a boil.
Step 2: Add the baking soda and simmer for five minutes, stirring constantly until the dates have fallen apart. When adding the baking soda, the mixture will bubble up for a minute. Let the mixture cool.
Step 3: In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
Step 4: Incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients to make a dough using a pastry cutter or your hands.
Step 5: Spread half the crisp in the prepared pan and press firmly.
Step 6: Spread the cooled date mixture evenly.
Step 7: Crumble the remaining crisp over the top of the date layer and press lightly.
Step 8: Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crisp is golden brown.
Allow to cool completely before cutting into them.
Tips
- If your dates are dry at all, soak them for a while before proceeding. Pour out any excess water.
- It is important to remove the pit from the date before adding it into the recipe. Slice the date lengthwise and pull apart the date to remove the pit.
- Be sure to let the date mixture cool thoroughly before adding it to the bottom layer.
Recipe FAQs
Most dates that are dried can just be used as is. Chop them up or pulverize in the blender. If they are too dry, then you can rehydrate them by soaking them in warm water before using them in a recipe. Make sure to strain off any excess water.
Store in an airtight container for 4-5 days at room temperature, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Date bars freeze really well. Slice into individual squares, wrap individually, and freeze up to 3 months.
I like using rolled oats for this recipe. Rolled oats offer the best texture, in my opinion. You could use other types of oats if you already have them on hand.
Yes, swap our the butter for a vegan butter or coconut oil to make vegan date squares.
Probably. Swap out the oats for certified gluten-free oats, and substitute the flour for a gluten free one for one flour.
More Dessert Recipes from the Farmhouse
- Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
- The Best Sourdough Chocolate Cake
- Chai Ice Cream
- Gluten Free Lemon Cake
- Easy Homemade Apple Pie Recipe
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you could come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone.
How to Make The Best Date Squares Recipe
Equipment
- 1 8×8 inch square baking pan
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups pitted medjool dates, 400 grams
- 1 cup unsweetened apple cider
- Juice from one orange
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Zest from one orange, or lemon
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Crisp Base and Topping
- 1 3/4 cups rolled oats, or large flake oats or otherwise called old fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup tightly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
Instructions
- With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 inch square baking dish with parchment paper or grease the baking dish with a bit of butter.
- In a medium saucepan, bring the dates, apple cider, lemon juice, orange juice, orange zest or lemon zest, and salt to a boil.
- Add the baking soda and simmer for five minutes, stirring constantly until the dates have fallen apart. When adding the baking soda, the mixture will bubble up for a minute. Let the mixture cool.
- In a bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients to make a dough using a pastry cutter or your hands.
- Spread half the crisp in the prepared pan and press firmly.
- Spread the cooled date mixture evenly.
- Crumble the remaining crisp over the top of the date layer and press lightly.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crisp is golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into them.
Notes
- If your dates are dry at all, soak them for a while before proceeding. Pour out any excess water.
- It is important to remove the pit from the date before adding it into the recipe. Slice the date lengthwise and pull apart the date to remove the pit.
- Be sure to let the date mixture cool thoroughly before adding it to the bottom layer.
- If you don’t have apple cider, you can substitute it with orange juice.
- You can use spelt flour instead of all purpose if you would like to go with a ancient grain that is easier to digest.
- You can substitute coconut sugar for brown sugar if you want to cut out refined sugar completely.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love that these squares are less sweet than regular date squares. I will try 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 orange juice next time, I found the vinegar a bit strong, but overall I like this recipe and will make them again.
Would it be possible to make this gluten free? Just by substituting the flour for one that is gluten free or will it not hold together?
Have you tried them with a gluten free flour or with oats ground into a flour? I’m really trying to avoid wheat, even an ancient variety like spelt. Thanks.
I have not tried that, sorry. If you do, I would love to know how it turns out.
These look so good! Would there need to be any alterations if I substituted einkorn for the spelt? Thanks so much!
So delicious! I think these would be great to bring as a dessert to a potluck or something. It’s sweet and yummy yet you can help sneak in dates to others diets 🙂
These turned out amazing! 10/10! I would make these over and over again. My family loved them.
Absolutely delicious. I love this recipe!!!
These are delish, but… There is a subtle smell of apple cider even after the squares are completely cooled. I would suggest to anyone doing these to not use apple cider, but some sour orange juice instead! 🙂
These are delicious! I added pecans to the crisp for some crunch and extra flavor. My son and I love dates, my husband not so much – but he liked the bars much more than he thought he would. My dates were still pretty chunky after cooking so I used an immersion blender to smooth them out. Worked great. Will make these again for sure!