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Home » Recipes » Baking Recipes

Cranberry Date Squares Recipe

Published: Nov 9, 2019 · Modified: Jun 6, 2021 by Colleen 63 Comments

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Cranberry Date Squares are based on an old fashioned, homemade treat that most Canadian kids have grown up enjoying.

Cranberry Date Squares

What is a Date Square?

A date square is a simple and easy to make treat, with a date filling sandwiched between two layers of buttery oats. It's a dessert that dates back to, at least, the nineteen-thirties, according to recipes that have been discovered.

Two cranberry date squares on a blue & white plate.

Date Squares: A Classic Canadian Treat

The origins of the date square are not really clear. This treat is, however, a familiar one to Canadians from coast to coast. In the Maritime provinces on the east coast, they call them date crumbles. And in western Canada, Matrimonial Cake is another name for these delicious squares.A close up of slices of date squares on a plate

Why is it called Matrimonial Cake?

While I was unable to find the answer to why date squares are called matrimonial cake, I did come across several theories. My favourite; Two separate layers brought together with dates leads to weddings.

Cranberry date squares

Why Cranberry Date Squares?

Date Squares are a true classic, and they are delicious. So why, you may ask, do I want to mess with a good thing by adding cranberries? Dates are dense and intensely sweet, so the cranberries balance that sweetness with a little bit of tartness in the filling.

The cranberries really add a bright and tasty element to these cranberry date squares.

A plate with squares on a table

About Dates

Dates are the fruit of the date palm, which is native or cultivated in many tropical areas around the world, most especially, the Middle East, where dates have been a staple food for centuries. In North America, almost all the dates that we buy are dried. The most common varieties available to us are Medjool and Deglet Noor. Learn more about dates here: The truth about dates

A cup of coffee on a table, with Cranberry and Date square

Are Dates a Healthy Food?

Dates are very nutritious. They're high in fibre and antioxidants, as well as potassium, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and copper. Dates are75 percent fructose, making them one of the sweetest foods in nature.

This means dates are a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth without resorting to empty-calorie treats. Those natural sugars mean that dates are perfect for sweetening recipes without using refined sugar, like these Chocolate Cranberry Hemp Energy Bars.

Matrimonial cake on a blue and white plate with a cup of coffee

Looking for More Squares?

Try another delicious oatmeal square: Rhubarb Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

Or, here's another spin on a classic Canadian treat: Butter Tart Squares

And if a little spicy chocolate is what you're craving: Chili Chocolate Brownies

Recipe

Pieces of oat squares

Cranberry Date Squares

These Date Squares are a classic Canadian treat with the addition of cranberries to the sweet date filling sandwhiched between layers of buttery oat pastry.
4.97 from 33 votes
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Course: Cookies
Cuisine: Canadian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 24
Calories: 193kcal
Author: Colleen Milne

Equipment

  • 8" square baking pan
  • pastry blender

Ingredients

Pastry

  • 2 ½ cups rolled oats not instant
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup almond flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter cold, cut into cubes

Filling

  • 2 cups Medjool dates pitted and chopped
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°
  • Line an 8" square baking pan with parchment paper, or spray with cooking spray
  • In a saucepan, combine dates, cranberries, lemon juice and water.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened, stirring often, about 15 minutes, stirring often
  • Set aside to cool
  • In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, almond flour, brown sugar, and salt
  • With a pastry blender, cut in cubed butter, until a crumbly dough is formed
  • Firmly press half of the dough into prepared pan
  • Spread cooled filling evenly over the crust
  • Sprinkle the remaining dough mixture over the filling, pressing to firm it
  • Bake in center of oven until golden, about 45 minutes
  • Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares

Notes

I made this recipe gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats, and a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all purpose flour.
Make this recipe vegan by substituting the butter for vegan butter, or cold coconut oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheFoodBlog or tag #thefoodblog!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda

    December 02, 2019 at 6:17 pm

    These squares are so delicious, and I love how easy they are to make! The flavor combo is just perfect for the holidays. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      December 02, 2019 at 7:09 pm

      You're so welcome, Amanda, so happy that you loved them.

      Reply
  2. Jenni LeBaron

    November 25, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    Yum! These cranberry date squares look like the perfect bridge between brunch treats and dessert - my favorite kind! These would be spectacular with a scoop of ice cream!

    Reply
  3. Alena

    November 25, 2019 at 8:22 am

    Yum, the perfect dessert! And I love the story about the matrimonial cakes - how cute!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 25, 2019 at 11:20 am

      Thanks Alena! It is a cute story, isn't it? 🥰

      Reply
  4. Ramona

    November 25, 2019 at 7:10 am

    Made this over the weekend and wow! Great balance for sweetness and the texture I just loved it. Unfortunately it is all gone but will be making it again for holidays as kids loved it too which is a great bonus. Beautiful recipe 😉

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 25, 2019 at 7:53 am

      Thanks Ramona! They dissapear fast around here as well. So glad the kids loved them!

      Reply
  5. Terri Gilson

    November 25, 2019 at 6:03 am

    I LOVE that you added cranberries to date squares - brilliant! So festive and a great way to tone down the sweetness! We also called them 'dainties' in Manitoba. Any square was fair game to be referred to as a dainty 🙂

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 25, 2019 at 7:52 am

      Thanks, Terri! I didn't know that squares were called dainties in Manitoba. So sweet.

      Reply
  6. Kari Heron

    November 25, 2019 at 2:45 am

    I honestly and wholeheartedly love this recipe so much that I am leaving a comment to let you know it and pinning it as well. I LOVE dates. I lived in the Middle East (Dubai) for 7 years and just spent 2 months in Jordan so this is really really close to the "home" of so many sweet memories in my heart 😀

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 25, 2019 at 7:51 am

      Kari, that is so wonderful to hear. It makes me happy to bring back sweet memories for you, and I'm so glad that you love this recipe. Enjoy!

      Reply
  7. Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life

    November 24, 2019 at 7:52 pm

    What a delicious sounding treat! I bet the sweet dates are the perfect counterpart to the tart cranberries. Can't wait to give these squares a try!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 24, 2019 at 8:10 pm

      You will love them, Claire!

      Reply
  8. Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli

    November 24, 2019 at 4:36 pm

    Cranberries and dates must go so well together in these squares! They are the perfect little sweet treat which provides also good nutrition. Love to hear about the story of the date squares and the fact that they were called matrimonial cake!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 24, 2019 at 5:00 pm

      Thanks you two. Sometimes we are too humble about how delicious the foods that we grew up with. This one surprised me with such a great response. They really are a perfect sweet treat!

      Reply
  9. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness

    November 23, 2019 at 9:58 pm

    My husband is OBSESSED with date squares!! It is probably the recipe he requests I make the most. He would be all over these!!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 24, 2019 at 8:00 am

      Your husband will love these, Cathleen!

      Reply
  10. Emily

    November 23, 2019 at 6:29 pm

    I love anything cranberry during the holiday months and these cranberry date spots really hit the spot! so good!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 23, 2019 at 9:27 pm

      Hi Emily, So happy to hear that you loved these. Cranberry everything is my thing, too.

      Reply
  11. Aleta

    November 23, 2019 at 6:59 am

    I am from western Canada and though I don't remember them with cranberries, I am very familiar with date squares. Love 'em, can't get enough, and look forward to trying these with cranberry!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 23, 2019 at 7:59 am

      Hi Aleta, date squares are the best and adding cranberries is a nice twist on the classic. Enjoy!

      Reply
  12. Linda

    November 22, 2019 at 5:13 pm

    I love rolled oats dessert and adding cranberry make this tastes even better!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 23, 2019 at 7:58 am

      Hi Linda, I think the cranberries add a special touch, too.

      Reply
  13. Eva

    November 22, 2019 at 7:20 am

    I was on the lookout for a crumble recipe that would feature something seasonal. Thank you for these! I also was not thining squares and I am pleased to try this shape rather than one single large crumble!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 23, 2019 at 7:57 am

      Hi Eva, these squares are quite different from a crumble, but I think you will be happy!

      Reply
  14. Deborah

    November 21, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    I love that these can totally be made vegan by just using vegan butter. They look incredible! Making me want to reach in and grab one!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 21, 2019 at 9:01 pm

      Hi Deborah, thank you for this reminder. You can use vegan butter, or, cold coconut oil to make these vegan. I'm adding to the recipe notes. Thanks again, and enjoy!

      Reply
  15. Jacqui Debono

    November 21, 2019 at 6:44 pm

    I made these and they were beautiful! I ate them with my morning tea, the kids took them to school and then had them after school too!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      November 21, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      Hey Jacqui! Like you, I love these with my tea, and they are perfect for lunchboxes. So glad you liked them!

      Reply
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328 shares