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date squares sliced and stacked up
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Best Ever Canadian Date Squares

This classic Canadian date squares recipe has the perfect balance of sweet dates combined with coconut and oats in a buttery crumble topping and base. A traditional favorite, these easy date squares disappear like magic! As a bonus, dates are great for health, so you can happily justify eating these classic date squares with your coffee, tea, or for dessert. Great for holidays or any day!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Canadian
Keyword: canadian date squares, Date squares, dates, healthy dessert
Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the Date Filling:

  • 1½ cups pitted and chopped soft dried dates
  • ¼ cup raw sugar
  • ½ cup water more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

For the Crumble Dough:

  • ⅜ cup cold butter
  • ½ cup raw sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup oats
  • ¼ cup shredded coconut
  • ¾ cup flour
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

For the Filling:

  • Add chopped dates, raw sugar and water to a small saucepan and bring to boil.
  • Lower heat to a low boil and, stirring frequently, cook ingredients until the dates are softened and all liquid is absorbed. Mash with the spoon to break up the fruit and create a smooth paste. Some lumps can be there, as per your preference.
  • When date paste is ready, stir in vanilla and set aside to cool.
  • Pre-heat oven to 350°

For the Crumble:

  • Add oats and coconut to a blender and pulse blend to a fine-ish powder consistency.
  • Pour oat/coconut powder into a medium mixing bowl along with the other dry ingredients, stir to mix thoroughly.
  • Cut in cold butter and vanilla and mix (with fingers, pastry cutter or butter knives) until all dry ingredients are moist. Stop mixing when large-ish clumps still remain – over-mixing will result in a dough which will not allow you to sprinkle crumbles on the top of the bars for baking 😊
  • Press half of the dough crumbles into the bottom of a lightly greased or parchment lined 8" x 8" baking pan, making an even crust.
  • Spread the date mixture evenly over the top of the crust, leaving about ¼ inch uncovered around the edges.
  • Drop the remaining crust crumbles over the top of the date mixture, covering the entire top evenly, including to the edges of the pan. Try to ensure that the crumbles are varied in size, including some larger clumps.
  • Bake from between 25-35 minutes, or until edges and tops of crumble clumps are lightly browned. Don't over cook or the squares will be dry.
  • Let cool for 30 minutes and slice.