Old Fashioned Date Squares

Delightfully sweet, these old fashioned date squares are super quick to mix up and made with all-natural ingredients — most of which you probably already have in your pantry at home.

This sticky-sweet, crumbly treat takes me back to my childhood. You know those foods that your mom or grandmother gave you when you were young that you grew up to realize were not only good, but good for you too? This is that.

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these old fashioned date squares

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Dark brown sugar
• Old fashioned rolled oats
• Butter (sub dairy free)
• Dates
• Maple syrup
• Water
• Vanilla extract
• Kosher or fine sea salt

I always keep Medjool dates on hand for when I want something sweet. They’re high in fibre and antioxidants and have a naturally sweet flavour profile. Here, I’ve combined fresh, chewy dates with hearty, fibre-filled oats, dark brown sugar and maple syrup for the perfect, cozy addition to your recipe box.

I usually make these old fashioned date squares dairy free by using a vegan butter substitute, but dairy butter also works perfectly in this recipe. Serve them as a snack, dessert or even as a light breakfast with a steaming cup of coffee or hot tea.

Just pure, old-fashioned goodness in every bite!

If you make this recipe, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! 

And of course, feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews. This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you!

Old Fashioned Date Squares

Delightfully sweet, super quick to mix up and made with all-natural ingredients – most of which you probably already have in your pantry at home. I’ve opted to make them dairy free by using a vegan butter substitute, but dairy butter also works perfectly in this recipe. Just pure, old-fashioned goodness in every bite!

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Prep Time:20 minutes mins

Cook Time:20 minutes mins

Course: Dessert, Snack

Keyword: baking, cake, date squares, old fashioned

Servings: 8 to 12 squares

Equipment

• Small sauce pan
• Measuring set
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowl
• 8-inch square cake pan

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup cold butter sub dairy free

Date filling

• 2 cups pitted dates chopped
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/3 cup hot filtered water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch kosher or fine sea salt

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Prepare filling first. Combine dates, hot water, sugar and salt in a saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until the dates are softened and the water is absorbed. Stir in vanilla and set aside to cool.
• Preheat oven to 350º (177ºC) and prepare parchment-lined 8-inch square cake pan.
• In a medium-sized bowl, stir together flour and baking soda. Add oats and brown sugar and mix together well. Next, work in butter with a fork until the mixture is crumbly.
• Spread half the oat mixture into bottom of parchment-lined baking pan, pressing it down with the back of a wooden spoon to form a base. Cover with cooled date filling. Next, sprinkle remaining oat mixture across the top.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven, place pan on wire cooling rack and let cool for 30 minutes. Slice into squares and enjoy!