# Michael’s Favourite Date Squares

These chewy, oat-laden date squares are a festive treat with a hint of virtue, avoiding refined sugar and using only a little maple syrup to enhance the natural sweetness of dates.

- Servings: 25 servings
- Total time: 55 min
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dessert
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 2 cups coarsely chopped pitted dates
- 0.5 cup water
- 0.25 cup pure maple syrup
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2.5 cups regular rolled oats (not instant)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter
- 0.33 cup pure maple syrup

## Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Lightly grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper.
3. For the filling, place the dates, water, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
4. Bring the filling to a simmer.
5. Simmer the filling, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
6. Remove the filling from the heat to cool while you prepare the crumble.
7. For the crumble, stir the oats, flour, baking powder, and cinnamon by hand in a large bowl.
8. Stir in the melted butter and maple syrup until the mixture is crumbly.
9. Spoon two-thirds of the crumble into the prepared pan and press it in.
10. Spoon the date filling (it’s okay if it’s still warm) over the crumble base and spread to level it.
11. Cover with the remaining crumble mixture and press down.
12. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
13. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack to room temperature.
14. Chill the squares before slicing.

## Equipment

- 8-inch (20 cm) square pan
- parchment paper
- medium saucepan
- large bowl
- wire rack

## Tips

- Baked squares can be stored for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Squares can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 1 month and thawed on the counter, but they will be softer.
- Chill the squares before slicing for tidier cuts.
- Squares are best enjoyed out of the fridge for a spell.

## Source

- Original video: https://annaolson.ca/project/michaels-favourite-date-squares/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/05f21cac-ee8f-48d6-8dc1-5191e969083e
- Extracted: 2025-11-01

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt