I confess: I’d never really been a fan of Date Squares. But then in 2015 I found Anna Olsen’s recipe and everything changed. See why!

Formerly on Team Anti-Date Squares
I don’t like date squares. Or dates. Or at least that’s what I used to think. I probably first ate a date square as a kid, and then a few times over the years I may have nibbled on one from a dessert tray here or there. Nope, they didn’t change my mind. I found them cloyingly sweet and not very flavourful, And dates seemed scratchy in texture to me.
But …
In recent years I’ve become an aficionado of the fresh Medjool date. I mean, who knew? This is the date as treat — satisfying, rich and sweet as candy. But good for you, too. I started to use dates as both a snack and in recipes like my almond milk and these indulgent choco-caramelicious patties (excuse me while I swoon). The idea of trying my hand at a date square started to dance through my mind, but I still had that nagging doubt about them.
Date Squares Inspiration
In 2015, a friend confessed their love of date squares to me and that was just the inspirational kickstart I needed to get into the kitchen. I checked out a few recipes online first and found that many had far too much sugar for my liking. Good dates are sweet enough on their own without adding lots of extra sweetener. Going through my recipe books (where it was surprisingly hard to find a date square recipe, which tells me they’re too old-fashioned to be trendy, which also tells me they may be the next big trend), I found an appealing recipe by Anna Olsen in her book Sugar.
Anna’s recipe doesn’t specify what kind of dates to use. My first instinct was to use Medjool dates, but there was a bag of the then unfamiliar to me Deglet Noor variety on the shelf at Costco, calling my name. They aren’t as soft and luscious as the Medjool, but they worked wonderfully all the same.
I made a couple of minor modifications to the recipe (for instance, I used a tablespoon of lemon juice instead of orange zest), but not enough of a change that I feel I can call it my own. I urge you to check out Anna Olsen’s Date Square recipe here, where it appears with her permission.
There’s one change I’m glad I didn’t make: the crumble calls for a whole cup of butter (to be fair, it is a lot of crumble). I resisted the temptation to skimp and, oh, the flavour!

Matrimonial Cake
Did you know that date squares are often called matrimonial cake on the Canadian Prairies? My friend Renée Kohlman explains why on her blog, SweetSugarbean.
Go Ahead, Indulge
Yes, this is an indulgent recipe. Dates are expensive (although you can use less expensive varieties than the fresh Medjools) and so is half a pound of butter. But the good things in life are worth it. Not to mention, even a small piece of these date squares is satisfying. The naturally sweet, smooth date paste interior contrasts beautifully with the crisp and buttery crumble.
So yes, I like date squares now!
Enough, in fact, that I’ll likely make another pan of them this week. As I get more familiar with them I may switch things up and develop a recipe of my own, but in the meantime I’m quite happy to keep making them just like this.
To date or not to date? Oh yes, let’s date (square)!
Anna Olsen’s Date Square Recipe
See Anna Olsen’s Date Square Recipe on the Food Network Canada website.
Looking for More Recipes with Dates?
I’m a fan of dates these days, and here are a few of my recipes that feature them: Queen Elizabeth Cake, Date and Almond Smoothie, and Coconut Date Bites. Enjoy!
First Published 2015 12 15
Republished 2021 02 20
I love love love love dates! It started in Palm Springs in my 20s! I was driving down the highway and I spotted a sign for Date Shakes! Its been a love afair ever since!
I would love to make these! I would eat the whole batch!
Wow, sounds like you really, really love dates! I hope you get a chance to make these squares, I think you’ll love them.
I am hook now, love date square and making it for a long time, so now with medjool . interesting….
I hope you like this recipe, Suzanne. It sounds like you already have a favourite!
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My mom used to make date squares. Thanks for the memory.
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by the Urban Cottage and leaving a comment. BTW, I was in the Okanagan Valley in September — only my second trip to BC and first time in the mountains (okay, to me they were mountains; my friends there called the hills, lol.)
Har, They are mostly hills around the Okanagan Valley, Come to the Rockies sometime, they are incredible.
I’ve been through the Rockies from Jasper to Banff, but never ‘over’ the Rockies (in a car). That’s something I’d like to do!
Well, you have done one of the most beautiful drives through it!
Indeed!
Can’t say that I’ve ever tried a date square, Mar. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I ate a date in any form. I bet it was an appetizer with bacon. Anyway, if I saw these on a platter, I would got straight to them. It’s all about the crumble. Love any dessert with a crumble and I think it great that you didn’t cut the butter content. Yum!
This crumble is truly ahhhmazing, John. It was a real surprise to me that I like these date squares so much — I’ve had some bad ones, I guess. Glad I gave them another chance!
[…] Date Squares — Old-fashioned date squares, also known as Matrimonial Squares, bring a touch of tradition to the dessert table […]
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