Date Squares also referred to as Matrimonial Bars are an old fashioned squares that my Mom use to make. This recipe is from my Mom’s well used, stained Hilroy scribbler. Each recipe lovingly hand written.
This weekend I’m heading off to my hometown of Humboldt, Saskatchewan to celebrate my Dad’s 80th Birthday! Usually family get-togethers in Saskatchewan involve everyone bringing some type of food. We are having an afternoon come and go event with cake and sweets at the local Legion Hall. My contribution will be my super tasting Banana Cake and an old time favourite of my Dad’s – Matrimonial squares, also know as Date Squares.
As a kid I wouldn’t go anywhere near these squares. Two treats that I thought tasted terrible were Mincemeat tarts and Matrimonial cake. Well I guess my taste buds have matured because now I love the taste of Date squares, but I’m afraid mincemeat still makes me gag!
Date Squares- Matrimonial Bars
An old-fashioned dessert made with wonderful sweet dates
Ingredients
- 3 cups oatmeal
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 cups butter softened
- 1 lb dates chopped
- 11/3 cups water
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Grease 9x13 pan.
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In heavy saucepan, mix together dates, water, and granulated sugar.
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Bring to boil, then reduce heat to med-low and simmer for approximately 5-10 minutes until dates have softened and water has evaporated .
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In large mixing bowl combine together oatmeal, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and brown sugar.
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Cut butter into flour mix and mix until coarse crumbles. (I use a pastry blender for this)
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Pour 1/2 of crumble mix into bottom of baking pan, press down.
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Pour date mixture on top and spread evenly.
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Cover with remaining crumb mix, pressing down slightly.
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Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes and top nicely browned.
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Cut into squares.
My mother made these exact same Oatmeal Date Bars all the time when I was growing up. I felt the same way as you did about the date bars – I gagged at the thought of eating the date mixture. I’d scrape off the oatmeal cookie part and leave the date filling for someone else to eat. 🙂
Hi Betsy, that is exactly what I did, now I love them dates and all!
This is a favorite of mine, I got the recipe from my great gram king, it reminds me of tea with her.
I love all those old time recipes from Gramma!
My mom used to make these too – I loved them as much as chocolate (which is saying A LOT) I’m thrilled to find this recipe! Thank you thank you thank you!
So glad you found my recipe so you can now make your own. I actually never liked them as a kid, but now I love them!