An old fashioned recipe for Date Squares or as we used to call them matrimonial squares. A delicious layer of sweet date filling sandwiched between a crumbly, chewy oatmeal crust and topping.
In Saskatchewan, where I grew up we always called this sweet dessert matrimonial squares. Date squares are a popular Canadian dessert and always included in Holiday baking, after-church gathering, or bake sale. I love making desserts my Mom and Gramma made and Nanaimo bars are another Canadian classic recipe that you just have to try!
My Dad has always loved date squares and this is one treat, handwritten in my Mom's old scribbler of recipes I like to make for him. Making classic, comfort food recipes that my Mom and Gramma made brings back so many fond memories from my childhood. Simple ingredients produced the most delicious food.
Ingredients you will need:
- Dates - Dried pitted dates. Any variety will work, but I love the flavor of Medjool dates.
- Oats - large flake old-fashioned. Quick cook or steel-cut will not work well in this recipe.
- Brown sugar - I use golden yellow or light brown.
- Butter - I use unsalted for baking, but if you use salted just reduce salt to ½ teaspoon.
- Flour - all-purpose white flour.
- and granulated sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
How to make Date Squares
- Start by softening the chopped dates. In a heavy saucepan, mix dates, water, and granulated sugar. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 5-10 minutes until the dates have softened and water has evaporated. Let mixture cool.
- While dates are cooking prepare crumb mix. In a large bowl combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
- Using a pastry blender cut the butter into the oat mixture and blend until has coarse crumble form.
- Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of greased 9 by 13 pan.
- Spread the date mixture evenly over the crumb layer.
- Top with the remaining crumb mixture, pressing down slightly.
- Bake 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. The top should be nicely browned.
Date Squares- Matrimonial Bars
Sweeet dates between buttery chewy oatmeal layers.
Ingredients
- 3 cups oats large flake
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 cups butter room temperature
- 1 lb dates chopped
- 1 ⅓ cups water
- ¾ cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease 9x13 pan.
- Using a heavy saucepan, mix together chopped dates, water, and granulated sugar.
- Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for approximately 5-10 minutes until dates have softened and water has evaporated . Let mixture cool.
- In large bowl combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
- Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the oat mixture until coarse crumbles form.
- Spread half of the crumb mixture into bottom of greased baking pan. Press down.
- Next spread the date mixture evenly over the crumb layer.
- Top with the remaining crumb mix, pressing down slightly.
- Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes. The top should be nicely browned.
- Cut into squares.
Nutrition
Calories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 248mgPotassium: 153mgFiber: 2gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 356IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Enjoy more tasty square and bar recipes.
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suzie king
This is a favorite of mine, I got the recipe from my great gram king, it reminds me of tea with her.
Laureen King
I love all those old time recipes from Gramma!
jill
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!
Laureen King
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!
Nancy Ferguson
Did you use instant oatmeal or whole
Laureen King
Definitely use whole slow cook variety not instant
Helen Galbraith
Love Matrimonial Cake, as we always called it.
I grew up at Melfort, SK no far to your home town so a lot of our traditions will be similar.
Laureen King
Helen, that is what my family always called it as well. I recently moved back to Saskatchewan after 40 years. Back to my home town of Humboldt.