These decadent date squares or matrimonial bars are a hit at every get-together. Ooey gooey date filling, topped with an oat-based crumble; try eating just one! Bet you can’t guess my secret ingredient?!
If you like these decadent date squares recipe you might like my healthy cashew coconut bites, only 3 ingredients and made with dates as well! Throw all of the ingredients into the food processor and roll them into balls. Ready in 5 minutes.
Gluten-Free Dessert
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Health Benefits of Dates
Dates contain several vitamins and minerals, in addition to fiber and antioxidants.
Most of the calories in dates come from carbs. The rest are from a very small amount of protein.
A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving provides the following nutrients:
- Calories: 277
- Carbs: 75 grams
- Fiber: 7 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
- Potassium: 20% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 14% of the RDI
- Copper: 18% of the RDI
- Manganese: 15% of the RDI
- Iron: 5% of the RDI
- Vitamin B6: 12% of the RDI
Dates are high in fiber, which may be beneficial for preventing constipation and controlling blood sugar levels.
Dates are a healthy substitute for white sugar in many recipes because of their sweet taste.
Health Benefits of Oats
Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth.
They’re a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.
They are a good source of carbs and fiber, including the powerful fiber beta-glucan.
They also contain more protein and fat than most grains.
Half a cup (78 grams) of dry oats contains:
- Manganese: 191% of the RDI
- Phosphorus: 41% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 34% of the RDI
- Copper: 24% of the RDI
- Iron: 20% of the RDI
- Zinc: 20% of the RDI
- Folate: 11% of the RDI
- Vitamin B1 (thiamin): 39% of the RDI
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): 10% of the RDI
- Smaller amounts of calcium, potassium, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin B3 (niacin)
This is coming with 51 grams of carbs, 13 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat and 8 grams of fiber, but only 303 calories.
This means that oats are among the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat.
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Decadent Date Squares
Equipment
- saucepan
- 9x13 baking dish
- parchment paper
Ingredients
Date Filling
- 2¼ cups pitted dates, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp salted butter can sub plant-based margarine
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1½ tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 tsp lemon/orange zest optional
Base and Crumb Topping
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup unsweetened, dried, shredded coconut
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1½ cups butter can sub plant-based margarine
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper
- In a saucepan, add filling ingredients and bring to a low simmer, stir often for 20 minutes, until very thick. Be careful not to burn.
- In a large mixing bowl, add crumble ingredients, use hands to rub the butter into dry ingredients to form the crumble topping.
- Press half crumb topping into the dish, press firmly to form the base.
- Pour the date filling mixture on top of the base and spread it out evenly.
- Next sprinkle the rest of the oat crumb mixture on top of the date filling.
- Bake for 40 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.
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