Date squares on a piece of parchment paper. Some are on their sides.

Easy Traditional Date Squares || Matrimonial Cake

By Rebecca St.Clair

These homemade date squares are the ultimate comfort food treat. Soft, chewy dates layered between a soft, buttery oat crumble. The sweet, sticky filling is perfectly balanced with the lightly crisp oat topping, making every bite melt in your mouth.

A date square on a metal serving spatula. There are more date squares in the background.

A timeless dessert bar that’s perfect with a cup of tea or cut into large squares for a sweet dessert perfect to finish off your favourite meal.

Three date squares piled with parchment paper squares between each one.

Date Squares in Canada

Date squares are a popular traditional dessert throughout Canada. Often Called either date squares, date crumbles, or matrimonial cake especially in the western provinces.

This treat was a staple simple baked dessert that pretty much everyones grandmother would have served. Simple ingredients and a delicious soft, gooey, and crumbly texture make this dessert a classic that is due for a comeback in our modern kitchens!

Three date squares on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple ingredients – These bars are made with simple pantry staples and dates, so you can really whip them up in no time, without needing to make a trip to the store for ingredients!
Rich Flavours – The dates in this recipe are packed with deep rich sticky flavour. When combined with the easy spiced oat crumble, the flavours of this dessert are perfectly simple and satisfying. Letting the natural flavour of the ingredients speak for themselves.
Easy Construction – With only the oat crumble and date filling layered together, this dessert is about as easy as they come!
Low Sugar Dessert – Having a sweet tooth craving but don’t want to overload on sugar laden icings or over the top rich desserts, this dessert has a lower added sugar content and even options for sugar substitutes!


Date squares on a piece of parchment paper. There are whole dates and a plate of date squares to the side.

How to store Easy Traditional Date Squares

At room temperature

Store leftover date squares in an airtight container on the counter for up to 5 days.

Fridge

To store date squares in the fridge,

  • Allow the bars to cool to room temperature
  • Place the squares in an airtight container
  • Store in the fridge for up to 1 week

Freezer

For longer storage, date squares freeze extremely well.

  • Allow the squares to cool to room temperature
  • Wrap completely in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container
  • Store in the freezer for up to 3 months
  • To serve, unwrap and allow to defrost to room temperature
An overhead view of date squares on a piece of parchment paper. One square is turned on it's side.

Ingredients

Dates – Sticky and sweet, most dates are dried first. If using whole date make sure to remove the pit inside and chop before using in the recipe.
Corn syrup – Not to be mistaken with high fructose corn syrup. Common corn syrup is a simple sticky sugar made from glucose.
Vanilla – For added flavour.
Lemon juice – For added flavour and to balance out the sweetness.
All-purpose flour – Part of the crumbly bar that surrounds the date layer.
Brown sugar – An extra flavourful sugar with hints of caramel. See the list of sugar substitutes for a lower sugar option.
Baking powder – Helps the outside bar layers puff up while baking.
Oats – Add the perfect crumbly crunch to the outside of the bar. The best options for these bars are either quick oats or rolled oats because of their short cooking time.
Butter – For added richness and to hold together the crumbly bar layers around the date filling. This can be substituted for butters for a vegan date squares.

Sugar Substitutes

A sugar conversion chart one column is green and one is pink
A table full of labeled ingredients.

How to make Date Squares

Method

  1. Remove the pit and chop the dates.
  2. In a sauce pot over medium heat add in the chopped dates, corn syrup, water, vanilla, and lemon juice.

3. Stir occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil.

4. Reduce to a simmer and cook stirring occasionally until the dates are soften and the mixture is thickened.

5. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

6. Preheat oven to 350 °F (180 °C).

7. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and oats.

8. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until soft and crumbly.

9. Press half of the mixture into a greased or lined square 8 x 8 in. oven-proof dish.

10. Spread the date mixture on top.

11. Cover with the remaining crumble topping and press down until smooth.

12. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 – 35 minutes or until the top is toasted.

13. Cool slightly and cut into squares.

Date squares on a piece of parchment paper. Some are on their side to show the inside filling.

Traditional Date Squares || Matrimonial Cake

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Cooling Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Soft, chewy dates layered between a soft, buttery oat crumble. The sweet, sticky filling is perfectly balanced with the lightly crisp oat topping.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups dates, chopped 375 g
  • 1 cup corn syrup 250 ml
  • ¾ cup water 175 ml
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla 5 ml
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 15 ml
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 225 g
  • ½ cups brown sugar 100 g
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder 2.5 g
  • 1 ½ cups quick oats 150 g
  • 1 cup melted butter 250 ml

Instructions

  1. In a sauce pot over medium heat add in the chopped dates, corn syrup, water, vanilla, and lemon juice.
  2. Stir occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil.
  3. Reduce to a simmer and cook stirring occasionally until the dates are soften and the mixture is thickened.
  4. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  5. Preheat oven to 350 °F (180 °C).
  6. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and oats.
  7. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until soft and crumbly.
  8. Press half of the mixture into a greased or lined square 8 x 8 in. oven-proof dish.
  9. Spread the date mixture on top.
  10. Cover with the remaining crumble topping and press down until smooth.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 - 35 minutes or until the top is toasted.
  12. Cool slightly and cut into squares.

Notes

Add in ½ cup of chopped nuts for an extra crunchy and flavourful outside crust.

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 428Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 43mgSodium 180mgCarbohydrates 71gFiber 3gSugar 52gProtein 3g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

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A pinterest pin for homemade date squares.

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