Date Squares – Traditional Canadian Recipe for Date Bars

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Date Squares – this traditional Canadian recipe for date bars with oatmeal crumble topping is so easy to make and they turn out perfect every time. An old fashioned Canadian recipe for the best date squares ever!

These Canadian Date Squares are so, so delicious! This recipe for date bars with crumbly oatmeal topping has been one of those recipes my family has enjoyed for years.

I tend to make them around Christmas as they are just so festive and special. I mean, just imagine this crumb deliciousness with an eggnog or gingerbread latte? YUM! 

I usually cut them into small squares and put them on my Christmas cookie platter along with all my German Christmas Cookies and Truffles. 

In Western Canada, these streusel bars are also called matrimonial cake. Some feel it is called matrimonial cake because of the two separate layers brought together by – well dates! Kind of cute right? 

Why this is the best recipe for Canadian Date Squares: 

A luscious date filling sandwiched between a wonderful oatmeal streusel crust and topping. OMG, so good! These tasty date bars are rich, sweet and sensational! If you enjoy dates, you’ll absolutely adore Canadian Date Squares.

But even if you’re not a fan of dates, I still urge you to give them a try.  These date bars are so moist, with just the right amount of sweetness.  I love the fact that the base of the squares hold together quite firmly, while the oat crumb topping is perfectly buttery and crumbly!  

The cooked date filling is quite rich and has a delightfully creamy consistency. The sweetness is counterbalanced by the addition of fresh lemon juice which makes these feel way lighter than any date bar I have ever tried. 

How to make this recipe for Canadian date bars: 

Make the cooked date filling:

To make the date filling, the chopped dates are first cooked in water or orange juice to soften their tough outer skin. As for aromatics, I also add a little cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg and vanilla. I like to add a bit of coconut sugar to bring out the natural caramel-flavor of the dates. 

Have I once made these bars using rum and orange juice instead of water? Yes, and it was SO GOOD! So try it if you like and feel a bit naughty.

The most important addition? Fresh lemon juice! We cook the filling on medium heat until nice and thick, stirring!  let them cool ever so slightly before pureeing in a food processor or blender until fairly smooth. Any date will do for this recipe, but Medjool are the best! 

Make the oatmeal crust and streusel crumb topping: 

To take this matrimonial cake to the next level, I grate some lemon zest directly into the sugar we are using for the crust and rub it in with my fingertips.

For making the oatmeal crust, I add all dry ingredients to a bowl and add some ice-cold butter which I grate right into the dry mix.  This oatmeal “shortbread” crust has a fairly high butter content and there is no egg added. 

Now, the layering of the ingredients begins. First, about half of the oatmeal crust is pressed onto the bottom of our baking pan. The cooled date puree is then spread over the oatmeal crust and then the rest of the dough is crumbled over the dates. I form some proper streusel with my fingers before I add the topping. 

Gently press down to compact the top crust a bit. The Canadian date squares are then baked until golden brown. The longer they bake the more crisp and chewy they will become – anywhere from 45 to 55 minutes is perfect.

Can I make this Canadian Date Bars recipe gluten-free?

You can make these Date Squares gluten-free by using your favorite brand of gluten-free flour! Just substitute it instead of regular flour 1:1.

I don’t think you will need to add xanthan gum but if you have issues with your crust staying together, feel free to add some.

Can I make refined sugar-free Date Squares? 

Yes, this recipe for date bars can be made without refined sugar. The date filling is already refined sugar-free. For the crust and crumble, you can use xylitol instead of white sugar. 

Can I freeze Canadian Date Squares? 

Yes, you can freeze these date bars! Be sure to store these in an airtight container or a freezer bag. Use strips of parchment paper to separate them. 

Tips for making the best date squares: 

• Medjool dates are best in this recipe for date bars as they are nice and big and process perfectly into a perfectly sweet smooth filling.
• Always use cold butter for your crust, this is a rule to live and die by in baking.
• You can use orange juice instead of water and use some orange zest in the filling. Or use a 1:1 mix of both. I do recommend adding some lemon juice to lend some brightness to the date filling. 
• DO NOT SKIP THE LEMON JUICE AND ZEST. Without the lemon or any kind of citrus added, I find date squares fairly boring. Still delicious but lacking flavor. The lemon really makes the filling sing! 
• I made these bars using 1/4 cup rum and 1/2 cup of orange juice instead of water. It was SO GOOD! So try it if you like and feel a bit naughty.
• For this date squares recipe, I like to use old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick-cooking as I prefer their thicker texture and flavor.
• To make it easier to cut these squares, it is best to chill them first. 
• Homemade Date Squares will keep for up to a week if wrapped tightly or stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

More traditional Canadian recipes: 

• Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bars 
• Blueberry Grunt Recipe
• Baked Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce
• Recipe for Flapper Pie with Raspberry Marshmallow Topping
• Beaver Tail Doughnuts 

★ Did you make and love this recipe for Canadian date bars? Give it your review below! And make sure to share your creations by tagging me on Instagram!