Date Squares Grandmas Food

GRAMMA'S DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, combine oats, pastry flour, salt, 1 cup brown sugar, and baking soda. Mix in the butter until crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch square baking pan.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the dates, water, and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Bring to a boil, and cook until thickened. Stir in lemon juice, and remove from heat. Spread the filling over the base, and pat the remaining crumb mixture on top.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in preheated oven, or until top is lightly toasted. Cool before cutting into squares.

GRANDMOTHER'S MATRIMONIAL SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Stir oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder together in a bowl; cut in butter using a pastry blender until mixture is mealy and butter pieces are uniformly small.
• Press half of oat mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan.
• Cook dates with water in a small saucepan over medium heat until they fall apart and are easily mashed with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes; remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
• Spoon date mixture evenly over oat mixture in baking pan; sprinkle remaining oat mixture evenly over top and press into place.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crust is golden at the edges, about 30 minutes; remove to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

GRANDMA LUCY'S DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Mix oats, flour, and baking soda.
• Add shortening.
• Prepare filling by mixing chopped dates, hot water, brown sugar, and vanilla.
• Put 1/2 dry mix in a baking pan.
• Add filling.
• Top with rest of dry mix.
• Bake 20 minutes at 350, or until well browned.

GRANDMA'S DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Mix: oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, baking soda and salt then press on bottom of 8x8 pan.
• Boil: dates, sugar and water until thick.
• Bake 20-30 minutes in 375 F oven.
• Cool before serving.

MATRIMONIAL DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Crumb Layer.
• Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Cut in butter until mixture turns to a course crumb. Press slightly more than 1/2 of this mixture into the bottom of a 9x9 pan. Set aside rest of crumbs.
• Date mixture.
• Combine dates and water in a medium pot. Bring to a boil on medium heat. Reduce to medium low heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Dates will become soft and form a thick filling. Let cool for a few minutes then spread on bottom layer of crumbs.
• Sprinkle top layer over the filling to completely cover. Slightly press down on top crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let stand on wire rack till cool. Slice into squares.

DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Line bottom and sides of a 8 inch (2L) cake pan with parchment paper, leaving 1 inch extending over 2 edges for handles or grease and set aside.
• Filling: In a heavy bottomed saucepan, stir together 2 cups (500ml) water, dates, sugar and lemon and orange juices; let stand for 30 minutes. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium and boil gently, stirring often, until thick enough to mound on a spoon, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
• In a large bowl, whisk together oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt. With a pastry blender, or if you do not have one then use 2 knives, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly. Press half evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread date mixture evenly over the base. Top with the remaining oat mixture, pressing it down lightly.
• Bake in centre of 350 F oven until light golden on top, about 40 minutes. Let stand in pan on rack until thoroughly cooled and firm, about 6 hours. Cut into squares. Makes about 24 squares.

BEST DATE BARS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water. Cook, stirring frequently, until very thick. Stir in walnuts, if desired; cool. , Sift the flour, salt and baking soda together in a large bowl; add oats and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle water over mixture; stir lightly. Pat half into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread with date mixture; cover with remaining oat mixture and pat lightly. , Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.