Cranberry Date Squares are based on an old fashioned, homemade treat that most Canadian kids have grown up enjoying.
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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:Â Rhubarb Blueberry Oatmeal Bars
Or, here's another spin on a classic Canadian treat:Â Butter Tart Squares
And if a little spicy chocolate is what you're craving:Â Chili Chocolate Brownies
Recipe
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Cranberry Date Squares
Equipment
- 8" square baking pan
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
Denise@urbnspice
The tang of cranberries and natural sweetness of Medjool dates would balance each other so nicely - I like this idea, Colleen! And they look pretty, too. I will add this to my squares and bars collection of recipes - thanks so much for sharing.
Colleen
Thanks Denise, I hope you enjoy these as a part of your collection!
Amanda
These are such perfect bars for the fall! I just love the addition of dates -- adds such a nice flavor. Thanks so much for sharing!
Colleen
Amanda, these are perfect for the fall, and basically anytime! 🙂
Candice
I LOVVVEE these! Let's just say that I may have had a few of these squares for breakfast, and now they're my favorite breakfast AND afternoon pick-me-up snack. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Colleen
Candice, having these for breakfast is a great idea! So glad you love them.
Stine Mari
I love to use dates as natural sweetener - like you mentioned - the empty calories. And nestled in between buttery oats sounds like the best idea ever!
Colleen
Stine, if you love to use dates, you will love these squares, I promise!
Carina
Such a delicious looking recipe and one that my children would love in their lunchbox or after school! Love that you have almond flour in with the oats, one of my favourite combinations in baking.
Colleen
Hi Carina, I know your children will love these!
Jessica
YUM! I love date squares and so happy you added cranberries, so perfect for the holiday season!
Colleen
Thanks Jessica! The cranberries and dates are a great combo.
VICKY CHIN
I like dates squares but sometimes they can be a little too sweet, adding some cranberries is such a great idea ! Lovely recipe!
Colleen
Thank you Vicky, I love the cranberry addition.
Cathy
I love the story of the matrimonial cake! I had never heard that before.
I also like the red cranberry filling in the date squares, especially for Christmas. My aunt makes something similar that's very popular at potlucks.
Colleen
Hi Cathy, the story is just a theory, but I love it, too.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Date squares are a fave around here, but never had them with cranberry. What a lovely touch and so perfect for the season! Wish I had a couple right about now! They look awesome!!
Colleen
Hi Dawn, I think you will love them with cranberries!
Sara Welch
Definitely adding this to my holiday baking line-up! These look too good to pass up! Yum!
Colleen
Sara, you'll be glad you added them. Enjoy!
Haley D. Williams
Love the festive flavor combo in these bars!
Colleen
The flavour combo really is festive & delicious, Haley!
Geetanjali Tung
What a lovely combo! A treat for the tastebuds. I have some dates and cranberries laying in my fridge. Can't wait to try this. Cheers!
Colleen
Geetanjali, isn't it perfect when we have the ingredients on hand when we see a great recipe? Enjoy!
Anita
We love this. I usually make very similar cookie squares like this with fruit preserves, but this dates and cranberries combo is definitely a keeper. 🙂
Colleen
So glad you love these, Anita!
Krissy Allori
These are soooo good. I loved the dates and cranberries together in the filling. I'll be making them again for sure.
Colleen
Hi Krissy. I'm so glad you loved them. Thanks for checking back to let me know, so appreciate it!
Adrianne
What a great delicious looking recipe. The next time it rains I am going to whip some of these up and enjoy with a cup of tea. I can't wait to try out this recipe, cheers!!
Colleen
Sounds like a perfect rainy day, Adrianne. Enjoy!
Nicole
I have never had a treat bar like this but love these flavors!
Colleen
So happy to introduce you to these Nicole. And glad that you love them!
Colleen
Thank you, Amalia!
Amalia
Looks yummy