Date squares
A spicy version of this Quebec grandmothers' classic!
Date Filling
- 3 cups pitted dates, chopped roughly
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or ½ tsp vanilla caviar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar (cassonade)
Oat crumble
- 2 cups oat flakes
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup brown sugar (cassonade)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 Tbsp Gingerbread Spice, ground
- ¾ cup butter, soften
Method
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1
Preheat oven to 350 F.
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2
Put all the date filling ingredients in a pot. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for a few minutes, stirring, until the filling resembles a consistent purée. Set aside.
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3
In a bowl, mix the oat crumble ingredients together, except for the butter.
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4
Add the butter and mix.
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5
Put half the crumble mixture into a 20 cm square baking pan lined with parchment paper. Press it down firmly.
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6
Spread the date filling on the pressed crumble.
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7
Cover with the rest of the crumble and press it lightly.
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8
Bake in the oven for 50 minutes.
