Best Ever Date Squares

I'm so excited to be using a brand new cookbook this week.  And I mean brand new.  I've had it not quite 24 hours.  My friend, Valerie, from More Than Burnt Toast, had a cookbook giveaway on her blog a few weeks ago and I was the lucky winner of Lighthearted at Home by Anne Lindsay.

Anne Lindsay is a Canadian author and the former nutrition editor of Canadian Living magazine.  This cookbook offers over 500 recipes, reviewed by the registered dieticians of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.  Along with the recipes are tips on healthy eating, cooking techniques, make-ahead instructions and ingredient substitutions.

I was so excited when it arrived yesterday and couldn't wait to make myself a cup of tea and settle in last night to look through it.  I found so many recipes to try, but finally decided to make these date squares.  I wanted to make something I could whip up fairly quickly and I had everything at home to make them so no trip to the grocery store was necessary.  As much as I love date squares, I don't find them very photogenic so only 2 pictures this time.  I hate unphotogenic food, lol!

These really are the best date squares I've ever had.  I used fresh medjool dates which I highly recommend if you can get them.  The rich date mixture paired with the delicious crumb topping - incredible! 

Enjoy! 

Date Squares
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2 cups packed chopped pitted dates (12 oz/375 g)
1 cup cold coffee
2 T packed brown sugar
Grated rind and juice of half an orange
1 T fresh lemon juice

Crumb Mixture

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. or less salt
2/3 cup soft margarine (I used unsalted butter)
1 1/4 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant)
3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar

In small saucepan, combine dates, coffee, brown sugar and orange rind; bring to boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until soft enough to mash and consistency of jam (runny but easy to spread), about 10 minutes.  Remove from heat; stir in orange and lemon juices.  Let cool.

Crumb Mixture:  In bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until size of small peas.  Stir in oats and sugar.

Press half of crumb mixture firmly into lightly greased 9-inch square cake pan.  Spread date mixture evenly over crumb mixture.  Top with remaining crumbs, pressing lightly.  Bake in 325F (160 C) oven for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.  Let cool in pan.  Cut into squares.

Makes 25 squares.

Source:  Anne Lindsay's Lighthearted at Home: The Very Best of Anne Lindsay


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