Date square

A date square, also known as a date bar, is a type of dessert bar popular in North America. It consists of a layer of date filling sandwiched between two layers of oatmeal crumb mixture. The dessert is known for its sweet, rich flavor and chewy texture.

Ingredients

The primary ingredients in a date square include:

• Dates: The filling is made from dates, which are often cooked down into a paste with water and sometimes sugar or lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
• Oats: The crumb mixture typically includes rolled oats, which provide a hearty texture.
• Flour: Used in the crumb mixture to give structure.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the crumb mixture.
• Brown sugar: Sweetens the crumb mixture and complements the natural sweetness of the dates.

Preparation

A bowl of date squares ready to be served.

To prepare date squares, the following steps are generally followed:

1. Prepare the Date Filling: Dates are chopped and cooked with water until soft, then mashed into a paste. Some recipes add sugar or lemon juice for additional flavor.

2. Make the Crumb Mixture: Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Assemble the Squares: Press half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of a baking dish. Spread the date filling evenly over the base layer. Top with the remaining crumb mixture, pressing gently.

4. Bake: The assembled squares are baked in a preheated oven until the top is golden brown.

5. Cool and Serve: Allow the date squares to cool before cutting into bars and serving.

Variations

Date squares can be customized with various ingredients to suit different tastes. Some popular variations include:

• Adding nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the crumb mixture for added crunch.
• Incorporating spices like cinnamon or nutmeg into the filling or crumb mixture for additional flavor.
• Using whole wheat flour or gluten-free alternatives for dietary preferences.

Related Pages

• Dessert bar
• Oatmeal
• Date (fruit)
• Baking