Easy Date Squares Recipe

Classic Date Squares Recipe

For the Filling:

• 2 1/2 cups chopped pitted dates
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

For the Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned or quick cooking oats (not instant)
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 tablespoon water

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Make the filling by combining dates, sugar and (1 1/2 cups) water in a medium saucepan and cooking over medium-low to medium heat until thick.
3. Remove from the heat and add walnuts and vanilla.
4. Prepare the crumb crust by combining flour, salt, baking soda, rolled oats, and brown sugar in a medium bowl with a fork or whisk.
5. Cut in butter with a fork or pastry blender until the mixture is crumbly.
6. Add (1 tablespoon) water and blend in lightly.
7. Press half of the oat crumb mixture into the prepare pan.
8. Spread the prepared date filling on top of the oat crumb mixture to within 1/4 inch of the edge of the pan.
9. Top with the remaining oat crumb mixture, patting it down lightly.
10. Bake the date squares for 35 to 40 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
11. Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares, bars, or triangles.

This recipe makes about 36 date squares.

Date Granola Bars Recipe

Base:

• 1 package Yellow Cake Mix
• 1 cup granola
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 egg

Filling:

• 2 cups chopped dates
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Topping:

• 1 cup granola
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup butterscotch chips

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all base ingredients, except egg, and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until crumbly.
3. Reserve 1/2 cup crumb mixture for topping.
4. To remaining crumb mixture, add egg and mix until well blended.
5. Press mixture evenly into bottom of prepare pan.
6. Bake at 350F degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are light golden brown.
7. In a medium saucepan, combine all filling ingredients, except lemon juice.
8. Cook filling mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened and water is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
9. Stir in lemon juice.
10. Spread filling in an even layer over the base.
11. In same large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup reserved crumb mixture with topping ingredients and mix well.
12. Sprinkle topping mixture over date filling layer and press down lightly.
13. Return pan to oven and bake 10 to 15 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
14. Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into bars or squares.

This recipe makes one 13x9-inch pan of Cake Mix Date Granola Bars.

Pecan Date Bars Recipe

A super-easy recipe for pecan date bars that starts with cake mix!

Crust:

• 1 package Duncan Hines® Moist Deluxe Classic White Cake Mix
• 1/3 cup margarine, softened
• 1 egg white

Topping:

• 1 package (8 ounces) pitted dates, chopped
• 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Confectioners sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 13x9-inch baking pan.
2. Place cake mix in large mixing bowl and cut in margarine with Pastry Blender until crumbly.
3. Add egg white and stir well (mixture will remain crumbly).
4. Pat mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
5. Prepare topping:
   Combine dates, pecans and water in medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture thickens stirring constantly.
7. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
8. Spread date mixture in even layer over crust.
9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until set.
10. Remove pan from oven and cool completely on wire rack.
11. Once cool, dust with confectioners sugar and cust bars into desired size.

This recipe makes one 13x9-inch pan of Pecan Date Bars.