Easy date squares

Date squares on a wooden background with a cup of coffee.

This easy-peasy, no-bake date squares recipe is simply put, delicious!

These are not like the old-fashioned date squares with a date filling and two crumbly oatmeal layers that most people are familiar with. No, these date squares are rather unique.

They are luxuriously buttery with a toffee-like flavour and a lovely crunchy texture from the pieces of biscuit.

5 from 75 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: International

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Servings: squares

Calories: 128kcal

Author: Maretha Corbett

Equipment

20 x 20cm Baking dish or baking tin

Ingredients

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

Line a 20cm x 20cm (8" x 8") baking tin with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang.
The overhang will make it easier to lift the block of date squares from the tin once it's set.
Place the butter in a large saucepan and gently melt it over medium heat.
250 gram butter
Once the butter has melted, add the roughly chopped dates to the pan.
500 gram dates, roughly chopped
Using a spatula, stir the mixture until the dates soften and begin to break up. This process typically takes around 5 minutes.
You can help this process by gently 'squishing' the dates with a spatula as you stir. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan throughout. If it seems like there's an excess of liquid butter at this stage, don't worry, it will get fully incorporated later in the process.
Once done, take the mixture off the heat and let it cool for around 10 minutes.
You don't have to wait for it to cool down to room temperature, just make sure it's not intensely hot. This is to avoid the egg from scrambling once we add it in.
Whisk the egg together with the sugar and salt in a small bowl.
1 egg, 100 grams white sugar, 1 pinch salt
After the 10 minutes, add the egg mixture to the dates and immediately stir it in, making sure to incorporate it quickly.
Put the saucepan back on medium-low heat and gently warm the mixture for 2-3 minutes to cook the egg.
Keep moving the mixture and fold as much of the butter into the dates as possible, then, remove it from the heat.
In a large bowl, break the biscuits into small pieces by hand. Don't crush it too finely, you want some larger chunks.
200 gram digestive biscuits
Add the warm date mixture to the crushed biscuits.
Using a sturdy, large spoon, like a serving spoon, combine the date mixture with the crushed biscuits.
Scoop the mixture into the prepared tin.
Using your sturdy spoon, push the mixture into all the corners and level the top with the back of the spoon.
Place the pan of date squares in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours to set.
Lift the whole slab out of the tin and transfer it onto a cutting board. Slice it into individual squares.
Optional: You can sprinkle the squares with desiccated coconut. It goes really well with the dates!

Notes

Chopping the dates

You don’t need to chop the dates too small. We like to use a pair of kitchen scissors and simply cut each date in half.

Don't crush the biscuits too finely

For the best date squares, avoid crushing the biscuits into a fine powder. Instead, aim for some larger pieces to add a crunchy texture to the squares. Pieces about the size of M&Ms are a good reference, but it's alright if there are even larger chunks mixed in.

Using a food processor will turn the biscuits into a powder, which is not what you want for this recipe.

Nutritional data disclaimer

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is calculated by a third party and we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We try our best to give you the most accurate information, but we do not take responsibility for errors that may be present. Also, the nutritional value of the recipe may change depending on the exact brands and products used. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalised advice on your dietary needs.

Nutrition