Description

These Easy Date Squares are a delightful treat featuring a crumbly oat crust and topping sandwiched around a sweet, homemade date filling. Perfect for slicing and enjoying as a snack or dessert.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For Crust & Topping

1 1/2 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Filling

2 1/2 cups (425 g) Medjool dates, pitted and chopped (lightly packed)
1 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

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Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper with overhanging edges.
For Filling: In a medium size pot or sauce pan, bring the dates, water, lemon juice, and brown sugar to a boil. Add the baking soda and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, or until the dates have fallen apart and you have a smooth date mixture. Set aside to cool.
For the Crust & Topping: In the meantime, in a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Melt butter then stir in the vanilla. Pour butter into dry ingredients and using a fork or rubber spatula to stir it into the flour mixture until all the butter is evenly absorbed and a crumbly dough forms. Press ½ to ⅔ of the mixture firmly into a parchment lined baking dish, transfer to preheated oven and bake for 8-10 mins. Place remaining crumble in fridge until ready to use.
Assemble Bars: Carefully remove pan from oven and spread the date mixture in an even layer over the warm crust. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top of the date layer and bake for about 18-25 minutes more, or until lightly golden on top. Cool on wire rack completely before slicing. Store in an air tight container.

Notes

Par-baking (partially pre-baking) the crust in oat bars like these serves the primary purpose of preventing a soggy or under-cooked bottom layer. It is optional but recommended.