Date and Prune Squares Recipe

This tried and true recipe for date and prune squares is simply divine. A crumbly top and bottom made with healthy oats and a hint of sweet coconut. Snuggled between these layers lies a delicious center.

A combination of sweet dates and prunes, that when reduced provides a thick rich textured filling with a surprising brightness that comes from fresh lemon juice. These date and prune bars will quickly become a family favorite not to mention they freeze very well.

Date squares have always been quite popular here in Newfoundland, it seems they are at every baby shower, pot luck, convenience store and everyone makes them different.

I have to be honest the absolute best recipe for a date square is on the back of the Wasco Dates. I’ll share a link a little later. For this recipe I decided to mix it up a bit by adding prunes and fresh lemon juice.

Both dates and prunes share many health benefits including high levels of vitamins such as B6, manganese, magnesium and zinc. They also contain copper, calcium, selenium and iron. My yoga girl says that eating just 3 dates a day will rid your body of unhealthy bacteria and or parasites. And best of all they keep you regular. I know you were all thinking it.

This tried and true recipe for date and prune squares is pretty easy to follow. Watch me make them below:

Easy peasy here’s how they look when they come out of the oven don’t forget to cut them while they are slightly warm they cut a lot nicer than when cooled all the way:

If you were wondering about how small to chop the dates and prunes, I just used my mini food chopper here’s what it looks like before the dates and prunes are softened.

In order to make these delicious date and prune squares you will need the following:

For the filling:

Ingredients:

• 1 & 1/2 cups dates chopped
• 1 & 1/2 cups prunes chopped
• 3/4 cup of brown or coconut sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice ( about a small lemon juiced)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

For the Crumb:

Ingredients:

• 1 & 3/4 cup flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cp softened butter
• 1 & 1/2 cups quick oats
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• pinch of cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add all filling ingredients to a large pot and cook over medium-low heat until combined and thickened. This takes about 10 minutes be sure to stir frequently. When softened and thick remove from heat and allow to cool to at least room temperature.

While the filling is cooling you can make your crumb. In order to do this simply combine butter and sugar and set aside. Combine remaining dry crumb ingredients and mix into the sugar butter mixture until it appears crumbly. You will see some pea sized bits.

Press 1/2 of this crumb into the bottom of a 9×13 pan that has been lightly sprayed with Pam or similar non stick cooking spray.

Spread cooled filling over top of the bottom crumb layer and spread out evenly. A fork works well for this.

Top with remaining crumb ensuring all date and prune filling is covered completly. Press down lightly with your hands as per video instructions.

Give it a sprinkle of love and bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 25-30 minutes. The top will appear golden brown.

Allow to cool slightly then cut into squares before cooling completly, enjoy!

As usual I will share links to my favorite ingredients.

For the crumb oats I used Quaker brand its the only one we buy find it here:

https://www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/quick-oats

The dates were Wasco these have the best date square recipe on back. Never fails! Find them here:

https://shop.colemans.ca/shop/grocery/baking_ingredients/baking_ingredients/wasco_dates_pitted

The prunes I purchased at Dollarama. I was unable to find the link but they look similar to these:

https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/173497/superfruit-pitted-prunes

The Vanilla was Clubhouse find it here:

https://www.clubhouse.ca/en-ca/products/baking/extracts

Thank you for visiting my Blog. I sure hope you enjoyed this recipe and give it a try for your family and friends.

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