Oatmeal Date Squares recipe is from my mother, Dorothy Hagerman. She originally got this recipe from her Aunt Dale. As such, I honestly do not know how old this recipe is. I do know that it is delicious and one of my favorite cookie bars. These Oatmeal Date Squares are also great topped with sweetened ice cream or a vanilla custard, but I love to just eat them as they are!
More favorite Cookie Recipes and Secrets To Making Perfect Cookies. Also learn How To Have A Successful Holiday Cookie Exchange or Cookie Swap.
- 1 pound dates, pitted and dried
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable shortening*
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
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Prepare Oatmeal Crust. Spread 1/2 the Oatmeal Crust mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
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In a medium-size saucepan over low heat, combine dates, sugar, and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the dates are soft and have absorbed most of the water (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract; set aside.
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Carefully spread the cooled date filling evenly over the oatmeal crust. Sprinkle the remaining oatmeal crust evenly over the top of the dates.
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Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once the squares have cooled, cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator at least one hour or until firm enough to cut easily into squares.
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Storage: These Oatmeal Date Squares will keep, covered, in the refrigerator up to a week.
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In a large mixing bowl. combine oatmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Using two knives or a pastry blender, cut in the vegetable shortening or butter until crumbly.
* I usually substituted cold, unsalted butter for the vegetable shortening. Cut butter into small pieces. My Aunt's original recipe called for shortening, which was popular to use in baking.
More Delicious Date Cookies:
Date Pinwheel Cookies – Date Swirl Cookies
My mother made this cookies every Christmas season when I was young. I’ve always loved these cookies!
Date Nut Bars
We used to sneak these treats off the tray when we were kids. Well, at least we thought we were sneaking them, but my Mother probably knew all along.
Date Squares – Matrimonial Bars
Attention date lovers! You will absolutely love these date squares – I do!
Orange Date Nut Bars
These cookies are a very chewy and delicious cookies. Makes a great Christmas cookie.