Cranberry Date Squares are based on an old fashioned, homemade treat that most Canadian kids have grown up enjoying.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Cranberry Date Squares
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
Nutrition
Amanda
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!
Colleen
You're so welcome, Amanda, so happy that you loved them.
Jenni LeBaron
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!
Alena
Yum, the perfect dessert! And I love the story about the matrimonial cakes - how cute!
Colleen
Thanks Alena! It is a cute story, isn't it? 🥰
Ramona
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 😉
Colleen
Thanks Ramona! They dissapear fast around here as well. So glad the kids loved them!
Terri Gilson
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 🙂
Colleen
Thanks, Terri! I didn't know that squares were called dainties in Manitoba. So sweet.
Kari Heron
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 😀
Colleen
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!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
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!
Colleen
You will love them, Claire!
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli
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!
Colleen
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!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
My husband is OBSESSED with date squares!! It is probably the recipe he requests I make the most. He would be all over these!!
Colleen
Your husband will love these, Cathleen!
Emily
I love anything cranberry during the holiday months and these cranberry date spots really hit the spot! so good!
Colleen
Hi Emily, So happy to hear that you loved these. Cranberry everything is my thing, too.
Aleta
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!
Colleen
Hi Aleta, date squares are the best and adding cranberries is a nice twist on the classic. Enjoy!
Linda
I love rolled oats dessert and adding cranberry make this tastes even better!
Colleen
Hi Linda, I think the cranberries add a special touch, too.
Eva
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!
Colleen
Hi Eva, these squares are quite different from a crumble, but I think you will be happy!
Deborah
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!
Colleen
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!
Jacqui Debono
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!
Colleen
Hey Jacqui! Like you, I love these with my tea, and they are perfect for lunchboxes. So glad you liked them!