Date Squares With Oat Crust

Date Bars

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 32 to 36 servings

These delicious date squares are made with a crumbly oat crust and a generous date filling.

Dates may not be the first fruit that comes to mind when you think dessert, but these oat crusted squares will change your mind.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup (6 ounces) unsalted butter

  • 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked

For the Filling:

Steps to Make It

  1. Put the dates, 1/3 cup of sugar, water, and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Let the mixture cool for 5 to 10 minutes while you prepare the crust.

  2. Heat the oven to 375 F. Lightly butter a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.

  3. Cream butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda; stir well. Add the flour mixture to creamed mixture. Mix well. Stir in oats, blending well.

  4. Pat about half of the mixture (about 2 1/2 cups or 13 ounces) into the prepared baking pan; spread with date filling then sprinkle evenly with remaining crust mixture. With your hand, tamp down the top crust layer lightly. Bake at 375 F for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until browned.

  5. Cut into bars while still warm; let cool and remove from pan. Makes 32 to 36 date squares or bars, depending on size.

Recipe Variation

  • For less date filling, use 1 pound of dates and 1/4 cup of sugar with about 1 1/4 cups of water and the same amount of vanilla.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
146 Calories
4g Fat
27g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 32 to 36
Amount per serving
Calories 146
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 12%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 99mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 26mg 2%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 148mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)