Oat & Date Crumble Slice (2024)

Published: Sep 10, 2021 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments

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Old fashioned Date Squares are made with a crunchy base, a sweet date filling and an oat crumble topping. This classic recipe (also known as matrimonial cake) takes just 20 minutes to prepare and is perfect served for afternoon tea with a cup of coffee.

Some of the most popular slice recipes on Bake Play Smile are the old fashioned ones!

You know, the ones that your grandma used to make out of her very well worn CWA cookbook.

Classic recipes - like raspberry coconut slice, chocolate coconut slice, lemon slice, hedgehog slice and these date squares are just as popular today as were 50 years ago!

Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

This sweet and crunchy date slice is always popular for morning or afternoon tea.

Basic ingredients - there are no fancy or expensive ingredients needed - just a few basic pantry staples
Budget-friendly - rolled oats and dates, two of the main ingredients, are both very reasonably priced. This entire slice will set you back just a few dollars
Healthy - rolled oats are a great source of carbs and fibre, loaded with vitamins and minerals, and known for helping to lower cholesterol. Rolled oats are also higher in protein than many other grains. Dates are an excellent natural sweetener and are high in fibre, potassium and anti-oxidants.
Versatile - This simple slice is prefect served as a slice with a cuppa or as a sweet dessert. I just love sitting down with a cup of coffee and an energy boosting date square to munch on, (especially when I hit that mid-afternoon 'slump'), but you can also warm it up, add a big scoop of vanilla ice-cream and serve it as a rich, decadent dessert.

What You Need

Just a few basic ingredients are needed to make this old fashioned date squares recipe.

Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.

plain flour - also know as all purpose flour
rolled oats - use plain rolled oats instead of instant or quick oats for best results
salt
bicarbonate soda - also known as baking soda. It's ingredient is sodium bicarbonate and this creates a different reaction to baking powder when used in baking
raw sugar - also known as granulated sugar
brown sugar - either light or dark brown sugar are fine to use, however I prefer to use 'light' as the dates give the slice a rich caramelised flavour on their own
butter - I use unsalted butter in this recipe, however if you only have salted butter, simply omit the ½ tsp of salt
pitted dates - dried pitted dates are easily found in the baking section of your supermarket
vanilla extract - or vanilla essence or vanilla bean paste
water

Step By Step Instructions

A simple melt and mix date squares recipe that is easy enough for beginner cooks to master, but also loved by those who are more experienced in the kitchen.

Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.

Step 1 - Prepare The Mix

Preheat your oven to 160 degrees (fan forced) and grease and line a slice tin, allowing the edges of a sheet of baking paper to overhang.

Add the dry ingredients to a large bowl.

Mix through to combine.

Add the melted butter and vanilla extract.

Stir gently until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 2 - Bake Your Base

Press half the crumble mixture into your slice tin.

TIP: Use the back of a spoon to press the mixture down firmly and evenly.

Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden.

Remove from the oven (but leave your oven on to cook the filling and topping).

Step 3 - Cook The Date Mixture

Chop the pitted dates and place in a saucepan along with the water and butter.

Step 4 - Add Your Crumble Topping

Sprinkle the remaining rolled oats mixture evenly over the date layer, and then place into the oven to cook.

Expert Tips And FAQS

Can I use fresh medjool dates?

Yes, you could, however they are considerably more expensive than the dried pitted dates that I have used in this date squares recipe. I recommend using dried pitted dates for this recipe.

I don't have unsalted butter, can I use salted butter?

Of course, simply omit the ½ tsp of salt in the recipe.

I don't want a thick layer of dates, how do I reduce the quantity?

Sure, the date layer certainly adds to the sweetness of this slice, however you could reduce this by halving or using two-thirds of the dates, water and butter in the date mixture to make a thinner layer.

Storing

Date squares can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Freezing

This date square slice can be stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost before consuming or before reheating as a dessert.

Dates add such a great natural sweetness to baking, they're healthy and so versatile too! Here's a few favorite recipes made with dates.

Healthy ABCD Muffins - such a firm favourite, filled with apple, banana, coconut and dates
Date Slice - just 10 minutes prep time and 6 basic ingredients
Sticky Date Pudding with Caramel Sauce - hello, everyone's winter comfort pudding!
- full of healthy ingredients like dates, oats, honey, chia seeds and LSA (a mix of linseed, sunflower seeds and ground almonds) this is a hugely popular recipe!

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Date Squares

Delicious date squares made with a crunchy crumble topping and a smooth, sweet date filling. An old fashioned favourite.

5 from 21 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: sweet

Cuisine: Slices

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 38 minutes minutes

Chilling time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 58 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 serves

Calories: 359kcal

Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

Ingredients

▢ 115 g (1¼ cups) plain flour
▢ 110 g (1¼ cups) rolled oats
▢ ½ tsp salt
▢ ½ tsp bi-carb soda
▢ 100 g (½ cup) raw sugar
▢ 80 g (½ cup) brown sugar packed
▢ 170 g (¾ cup) unsalted butter melted
▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the date filling

▢ 400 g (ml) water
▢ 400 g dried pitted dates
▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
▢ 30 g butter

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

Conventional Method

Preheat oven to 160 degrees fan forced. Grease and line a 17cm x 28cm slice tray with baking paper, allowing the edges to overhang.
In a large bowl, mix together flour, rolled oats, salt and bi-carb soda. Stir in the raw sugar and brown sugar and mix until all combined.
Pour melted butter and vanilla extract over the dry ingredients. Stir mixture until well combined.
Spread half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared tin and press into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and put aside (leave the oven turned on).
Meanwhile, chop the pitted dates and place them into a saucepan along with the water, butter and vanilla extract.
Stir over medium heat until the dates have softened and the mixture has thickened (approx 10 minutes). Allow to cool slightly.
Pour the date mixture over the cooked oat base and spread out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the top of the date layer.
Bake in oven for 23 - 26 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight) then take it out and cut into squares.
Store in airtight container in refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Thermomix Method

Preheat oven to 160 degrees fan forced. Grease and line a 17cm x 28cm slice tray with baking paper, allowing the edges to overhang.
Melt the butter and vanilla in the Thermomix bowl for 3 minutes, Speed 2, 50 degrees.
Add the plain flour, rolled oats, salt, bi-carb soda, brown sugar and raw sugar. Mix for 20 seconds on Reverse, Speed 2. Scrape down the sides. Mix for a further 20 seconds on Reverse, Speed 2.
Spread half of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared tray and press firmly into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and put aside (leave the oven turned on).
Place the dates into a clean Thermomix bowl. Chop for 10 seconds, Speed 9. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the water, vanilla and butter and mix for 6 minutes, Reverse, Speed 3, 90 degrees. Pour into a bowl and allow to cool slightly.
Pour the date mixture over the cooked oat base and spread out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over the top of the date layer. Bake in oven for 23 – 26 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight) then take it out and cut into squares.
Store in airtight container in refrigerator or at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Notes

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS

Ingredients Info:

Dried pitted datesare easily found in the baking section of your supermarket

More Recipe Tips:

Date layer - the date layer in the middle is deliciously thick if you follow my recipe exactly. However, if you prefer a thinner date filling then you can reduce the date filling ingredients (dates, water and butter) by half.
Storing - date squares can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freezing - this date square slice can be stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to 3months. Defrost before consuming or before reheating as a dessert.

Nutrition

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