Date and Apple Squares
Indulge in the cozy, nostalgic flavors of Date and Apple Squares—an irresistible dessert bar that perfectly balances fruity sweetness and hearty texture. This simple yet satisfying recipe layers a buttery oat crust with a luscious filling of tender apples, sweet dates, and a splash of lemon for brightness. Topped with a golden oat crumble, these squares bake up to a delightful crispy-chewy perfection. Ideal for fall gatherings or a mid-afternoon treat, they’re made with pantry-friendly ingredients like rolled oats, flour, and brown sugar. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is as easy as it is delicious, offering the perfect blend of wholesome and indulgent. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or enjoy on their own—either way, these bars are sure to become a family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 0.75 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and finely diced
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and baking soda. Stir to incorporate.
Add the unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1 cup of this mixture for the topping.
Press the remaining oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
In a small saucepan, combine the chopped dates, diced apple, granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the dates break down and the mixture thickens, about 8-10 minutes. Let the filling cool slightly.
Spread the date and apple filling evenly over the prepared crust.
Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the filling, pressing it down gently into the filling to ensure it adheres.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the square out of the pan.
Cut into 12 squares and serve. These can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
343 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.7 g | 16% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.7 g | 39% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 32 mg | 11% | |
| Sodium | 59 mg | 3% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 57.4 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.3 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 38.2 g | ||
| Protein | 3.1 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 44 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.5 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 283 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
