Description
Date Squares are a classic dessert bar made with a buttery oat crust and a soft, sweet date filling. These old fashioned date bars are easy to make, rich with cozy flavor, and perfect for dessert trays, coffee breaks, or simple homemade baking.
Ingredients
2 cups chopped pitted dates
1 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line or grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.
2. Add the chopped dates, water, and lemon juice to a saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until the dates soften into a thick paste.
3. Remove the filling from the heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and let it cool slightly.
4. In a large bowl, mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
5. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly and evenly moistened.
6. Press about two thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
7. Spread the date filling evenly over the crust.
8. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the top in an even layer.
9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the edges are set.
10. Cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares and serving.
Notes
Use soft dates for the smoothest filling and the best natural sweetness.
Let the bars cool fully before slicing so they hold their shape neatly.
A small pinch of cinnamon or orange zest can be added to the filling for extra warmth and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 31mg