Last night I was thinking about snow and my warm farm kitchen from years ago. I remember baking my first pan of date squares, there, especially because my son,  Liam loved them. Dates don’t grow in Canada,  but delicious date squares were a staple at family gatherings and celebrations in our part of rural Ontario, north of Toronto.

Here is my recipe. 

Date filling

2 1/2 chopped pitted dates
1 cup water
2 TBL brown sugar
1 1/2 TBL lemon juice
1/2 tea baking soda
1tsp vanilla

In a small pan on the stove top bring water, brown sugar, dates and lemon juice to a boil,
Simmer 8-10 minutes. until dates are soft. Add baking soda and after the froth settles, mash with fork .
Cool 5 minutes and stir in vanilla. Cool while preparing the crust.

Crust ingredients   

1 3/4 cups rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

— Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Line 8X8 pan with parchment paper including the sides( use a little butter if needed)
• In bowl, blend flour, baking soda, and salt.
• Stir in brown sugar and oats.
• Cut in butter with pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press half of crumb mixture over bottom of lightly buttered 8×8-inch pan to form bottom crust.
• Gently spread date filling over bottom crust.
• Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over date filling.
• Lightly pat with palm of hand to even out.
• Bake on middle oven rack for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
Let cool at least 4 hours , even overnight before cutting into 12 to 16 squares

—
Warmly,
Vickie Kerr

 

 

 

 

Tags: Dates, squares