My Grandmother’s Date Square Recipe
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Christmastime is about family, togetherness and tradition, and though they may transform over the years, the feelings of joy and contentment surrounding the holidays never change. I feel so lucky to have grown up with comforting family traditions that have been easily translatable to my current family and friends, while still honouring the individual who put them in place—my beloved grandmother.
As a child and into my teenage years, my grandmother’s home was our gathering place every holiday season. Christmas Eve meant midnight Mass, and while I enjoyed the candles, the beauty and the message in those pews, I couldn’t stop my mouth from watering as I dreamt of the pan of warm, sweet date squares that would be waiting for us on my grandmother’s countertop afterwards. A plethora of other French Canadian baked goods would line the space, and the entire family would sit oohing and ahhing at my grandmother’s treats into the early morning hours, waiting to open presents together for the réveillon.
To keep the tradition going, we make her date square recipe every year and enjoy them with our favourite specialty coffees from Starbucks.
Ten years ago my grandmother passed away, and my mother continued our family’s tradition of making those hearty, delectable date squares during the holidays. I also began to make them for my own children, a son of five and a daughter of two, in honor of my grandmother—they may’ve never gotten to meet one another, but it was important to me that my children knew what kind of woman my grandmother was through her food. As we decorate the Christmas tree every year and enjoy her date squares with a steaming cup of specialty coffee like Starbucks’ Veranda Blend or Via Instant Latte, I know that the memory of my grandmother is there with us, smiling at our enjoyment of her recipes as we carry on the spirit of Christmas.
My kids love pulling our their favourite decorations and enjoying a few tasty date squares! Our family recipe is below and updated to be gluten-free, but still just as yummy as always.
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Grandmother’s Date Squares (gluten-free)
Ingredients
- 1 pound dates (500g)
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of Bob’s Red Mill sweet white rice flour
- 2 cup quick cooking oats
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp b. soda
- 1 tsp b. powder
- 1 cup soft almost melted Tenderflake shortening
Instructions
- Cook dates on low for 7 to 10 minutes watching closely and stirring often. Let cool for 15 minutes.
- Mix salt and soda (no lumps) flour, oats, brown sugar really well. Gradually add shortening and work with a wooden spoon creating a crumble with small to medium pea size lumps.
- Spread half the crumble in the bottom of a lightly greased 11” x 9” pan. Starting in one corner of the pan very gently spoon the date mixture on top evenly. Next add the remaining crumble mixture one tablespoon at a time gently covering the dates.
- Bake at 325 F for 25-30 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting in square.
Other important recipes that have been passed down in my family include my Children’s Favorite M&M Cookies and Classic Shortbread Cookies, both of which are made with a special The Best of this Life twist: they’re gluten-free! Both recipes are perfect for decorating with Christmas-coloured candy or sprinkles, and though we no longer have lots of extended family in the area, Christmastime in our home is full of fun, friends, holiday baking and even a specialty coffee bar we set up with Starbucks favorites like their chestnut praline syrup and salted caramel hot cocoa mix for all to enjoy!
Merry Christmas from The Best of this Life’s home to yours…I sincerely hope that it’s one full of happiness, health, holiday baking, beloved tradition and maybe even some delicious date squares!
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What a delicious treat. Perfect snack for cuddling up by the Christmas and drinking coffee. Yum!
Family traditions are so important…whether they are food or decorations or special trips that are taken. It is always wonderful if you can pass these down with each generation. I know my family has tried to do that. Love those date squares. They look delicious.
Looks so delicious! This date squares are real comfort food, specially if it is an heirloom recipe like this. Thanks for sharing!
The date squares look yummy. I’d like to make this for my mom, she loves dates.
Date squares are one of my favorites! Lots of memories equated with those for me as well 🙂
As a note – all oats are NOT gluten free!
Yum. I don’t think I’ve ever tried date squares before. They look delicious though, I love the topping. I may have to give them a try.
They are one of my favourite treats, this recipe isn’t as sweet as most (which call for 1 cup a sugar w/ the dates). We just use the dates and find them sweet enough on their own. It’s very similar to any fruit bar. My kids love them!
I love how you are carrying on the tradition with your kids. I plan on making some sugar cookies with mine while they are out of school as that was a holiday tradition for us growing up.
That is really special Brandy, I’m sure they will love that.
Yummy!! Total addict for date squares, and its an absolute bonus for them to be gluten free, woot! Thanks for the recipe, will have to try it for sure. And definitely have some Starbucks to go with. 🙂
I think this is an amazing tradition to pass onto children. I’ve recently tried to start the same thing. I’m also going to give this recipe shot since I try to avoid gluten. It’s hard with the holiday season.
How wonderful that you’ve passed this down but have also been able to tweak it gluten-free. I’m actually going to do this with my Grandma’s Christmas cookie recipe this year because it’s so sad that our gluten-free family hasn’t had them for a few years. #client