Brown Sugar Date Squares

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling
Yield 2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
"I've used this recipe for years," shares Suzanne Caithamer of Walton, Kentucky. "It's a wonderful addition to care packages and holiday cookie exchanges. Even people who don't like dates love them!" You can cut larger squares and add a scoop of ice cream to serve as a dessert.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pitted whole dates
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup orange juice
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • CRUST:
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • Dash salt
  • 1 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
  • Vanilla ice cream, optional

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the dates, brown sugar and orange juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes or until thickened and dates are tender, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press half into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Carefully spread with date mixture.
  3. Stir walnuts into remaining crumb mixture. Sprinkle over filling; press down gently. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Serve with ice cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 251 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 110mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.

"I've used this recipe for years," shares Suzanne Caithamer of Walton, Kentucky. "It's a wonderful addition to care packages and holiday cookie exchanges. Even people who don't like dates love them!" You can cut larger squares and add a scoop of ice cream to serve as a dessert.
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC