Matrimonial Date Squares Recipes

MATRIMONIAL DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat dates, 2/3 cup brown sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a saucepan over low heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until dates have softened, absorbed the liquid, and mixture is like a paste, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract.
• Stir oats, flour, 1 cup brown sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl; cut in butter with a knife or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Lightly press 2/3 of the crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9x9-inch pan. Spread date mixture evenly over the crumb crust; sprinkle remaining crumbs evenly over the top of date mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden, about 30 minutes; cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing into bars.

MATRIMONIAL DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• FILLING.
• In pot over medium heat bring cold water and dates to a boil, and simmer two minutes, until dates nicely softened.
• Add Brown sugar, simmer until sugar is dissolved.
• Remove from heat, blend in the orange and lemon juice and set aside while making crumb crust.
• CRUMB CRUST.
• In large bowl put in the flour, soda, baking powder, salt and blend with a whisk to mix.
• Add the brown sugar and rub in the margarine with the tips of fingers to mix.
• Add the oatmeal and mix well.
• ASSEMBLY.
• Spread and pat half the crumbs in bottom of a greased 9x13 pan, saving the other half for the top.
• Cover base with cool date filling and spread evenly.
• Top with the rest of crumb mix.
• Bake at 325 for 30- 35 minutes or (until top nice and gold).
• Servings will depend on on the size of slice you wish to serve, small for the dainty tray or large and generous for dessert.

DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking pan, and set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. Add butter, and blend with your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Transfer two-thirds of the crumb mixture into prepared pan, and press into bottom and up sides. Spread date paste over bottom layer of the dough. Cover with remaining crumb mixture.
• Bake until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Invert onto a plate, then back onto a cutting board. Cut into 2-inch squares. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

DATE BARS

Steps:

• In 2-quart saucepan, cook filling ingredients over low heat about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Cool 5 minutes.
• Heat oven to 400°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening.
• In large bowl, stir brown sugar and butter until well mixed. Stir in flour, oats, baking soda and salt until crumbly. Press half of the crumb mixture evenly in bottom of pan. Spread with filling. Top with remaining crumb mixture; press lightly.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown. Cool 5 minutes in pan on cooling rack. Cut into 6 rows by 6 rows while warm.

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.

MATRIMONIAL SQUARES

Steps:

• Base:.
• In a large bowl, combine oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Cut in butter until crumbly.
• Spread 3/4 of the crumbs in a 9 x 13 inch cake pan.
• Date Filling:.
• Mix dates, water and sugar together in a saucepan.
• Cook until thick, stirring frequently.
• Remove from heat and add lemon juice.
• Allow to cool before using.
• Spread over the crumbs in the pan.
• Sprinkle the remaining crumbs over top of the filling.
• Bake at 350 degrees F.
• for 20 minutes.