For as long as I can remember, Date Squares (aka Matrimonial Cake) were always on Claudia’s Christmas baking list. I’ll admit that when I was younger I didn’t fancy them too much and chose holiday desserts on the table that had a lot more chocolate on them. But as I get older (and wiser of course) I have grown to absolutely love them. The buttery crumbly layers and the sweet date filling makes this the perfect recipe for your own holiday baking list.

You will need:

2.5 cups chopped dates

1 cup plus 1 tbsp brown sugar

1/2 cup water

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

1 cup butter

2 cups rolled oats

In a saucepan combine chopped dates, 1 tbsp brown sugar and water

Bring to a boil and cook until dates are soft enough to be mashed with a fork (about 5 minutes).

Set aside to cool.

In a separate bowl combine oats and your 1 cup of brown sugar

In another bowl cut in butter with flour, baking soda and salt (previously sifted together).  It is best to work with cold pieces of butter as they are easier to cut into the flour.

Once butter and flour are mixed together thoroughly, combine with oats and brown sugar.

Lookin’ good!

Press half of the oat mixture over bottom of a greased 8 x 8 square pan.

Pack the layer down firmly with a fork.

Next place entire date mixture for the second layer.

Cover and spread evenly.

Cover with remaining oat mixture and pat until smoooth.

Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes or until a light golden brown.

Cool before cutting into squares and serving.

Viola!

Perfectly golden brown and delicious.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Date Squares
Serves 8
The buttery crumbly layers and the sweet date filling makes this the perfect recipe for your own holiday baking list.
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
45 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
45 min
Ingredients
  1. 2.5 cups chopped dates
  2. 1 cup plus 1 tbsp brown sugar
  3. 1/2 cup water
  4. 1 cup flour
  5. 1/2 tsp baking soda
  6. 1/8 tsp salt
  7. 1 cup butter
  8. 2 cups rolled oats
Instructions
  1. In a saucepan combine chopped dates, 1 tbsp brown sugar and water.
  2. Bring to a boil and cook until dates are soft enough to be mashed with a fork (about 5 minutes). Set aside to cool.
  3. In a separate bowl combine oats and your 1 cup of brown sugar.
  4. In another bowl cut in butter with flour, baking soda and salt (previously sifted together). It is best to work with cold pieces of butter as they are easier to cut into the flour.
  5. Once butter and flour are mixed together thoroughly, combine with oats and brown sugar.
  6. Press half of the oat mixture over bottom of a greased 8 x 8 square pan. Pack the layer down firmly with a fork.
  7. Next place entire date mixture for the second layer. Cover and spread evenly.
  8. Cover with remaining oat mixture and pat until smooth.
  9. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes or until a light golden brown.
  10. Cool before cutting into squares and serving.
Claudia's Cookbook https://www.claudiascookbook.com/
by | 13 Comments

13 Comments on Date Squares

  1. April@The 21st Century Housewife
    January 13, 2011 at 7:55 AM (14 years ago)

    These sound wonderful! I have heard of matrimonial cake before but have never made it. I do have a mincemeat squares recipe from my Mom that sounds a little bit similar that I have made, but far from identical and I love dates, so I have bookmarked your recipe to make soon!

    Reply
  2. Janet Palmer
    January 6, 2013 at 11:00 PM (12 years ago)

    These sound delicious and I am going to make them tonight.

    Reply
    • Claudia's Cookbook
      January 7, 2013 at 3:08 AM (12 years ago)

      Hi Janet! Awesome! Let me know how they turn out!

      Reply
  3. Helen Clear
    March 25, 2013 at 7:28 PM (12 years ago)

    Hi, mine are in the oven now. know they will be delicious.

    Reply
  4. SueSueper
    September 30, 2013 at 12:18 AM (11 years ago)

    Made these yesterday!! They are AWESOME!

    Did the recipe exactly as indicated.

    Reply
    • Claudia's Cookbook
      September 30, 2013 at 1:18 AM (11 years ago)

      Hi Sue! So glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for letting us know! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Pam
    February 18, 2015 at 4:46 PM (10 years ago)

    i luv these, but need to go less sugar can I put honey or apple sauce for brown suger

    Reply
    • Claudia's Cookbook
      February 22, 2015 at 6:50 PM (10 years ago)

      Hi Pam, I have not tried applesauce or honey but I can’t see why not!

      Reply
      • Pam
        February 24, 2015 at 6:18 AM (10 years ago)

        Thk u my gd son loves them,daughter wants less sugar lol

        Reply
  6. Barb
    May 25, 2017 at 9:33 PM (7 years ago)

    love this recipe; growing up, my mom always made these, then I did for the kids and still do. Favorite go-to cake.

    Reply
  7. Heather McArthur
    November 8, 2018 at 5:26 PM (6 years ago)

    Wonderful recipe with perfect amounts of filling to crust and so moist.My husband is crazy about them ans says they are the best he has ever eaten !

    Reply
    • Claudia's Cookbook
      December 11, 2018 at 9:23 PM (6 years ago)

      Yay! So happy to hear! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
  8. Maggie
    December 4, 2019 at 7:37 PM (5 years ago)

    hello – can these be frozen… thinking of starting Christmas baking early…

    Reply

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