100 Year-Old Recipe for Date Squares

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Date squares originated in western Canada in the 1920s. They gained popularity during the Great Depression of the 1930s due to the affordability of the ingredients at the time.


Originally called “matrimonial cake” or “matrimonial bars”, it consists of a jammy date filling sandwiched between a buttery oatmeal crumble. 


This recipe comes from the ‘B.B. Circle Women’s Guild of Westminster Church Cook Book’ from Regina, published in 1927.


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INGREDIENTS


Date Filling:

  • 1 lb dates (454g), rough chopped
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • 1 cup water (118ml)

Oat Base and Topping:

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (170g)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (200g)
  • 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (100g)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Note: All ingredients should be at room temperature unless otherwise stated.


Method:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C
  • Line an 8x8-inch (20x20cm) pan with parchment paper

Filling:

  1. In a large saucepan, combine dates, sugar, and water.
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the dates soften.
  3. Mash the dates with a fork to break them down.
  4. Remove from heat to cool while making the crumble.

Base & Topping:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. In a separate mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, and baking powder.
  3. Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter/sugar mixture. Mix to combine.
  4. Press half the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of an 8x8-inch pan in an even layer. (It makes a very thin layer.)
  5. Top with the cooled date mixture. Spread evenly.
  6. Spread the rest of the oatmeal mixture over the date filling to make an even layer. 
  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F/177°C for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
  8. Once baked, cool in the pan.
  9. Once cooled, cut into 16 squares.

Original recipe from 1927:




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