Date Slice recipe (known also as Date Squares) is for all the people out there who love and could not resist the chewy sweet, and caramelly taste of dates.
Check also my nut and date energy balls recipe.
It will definitely show you that dates are not just something you can chew while bored or add in one of your cookings because you can in fact make a whole new recipe out of it in the form of this dish. This dish will be a great substitute for your typical slices of cakes and brownies, with its soft and chewy texture and mild sweetness complimented by the caramel undertone taste of dates.
You may try making this recipe at home for breakfast to be paired with your morning hot coffee or a tall glass of milk. This dish is also a good complement to your kid's lunch for school.
You will never go wrong in serving this recipe for any special occasion as well since it may look quite simple, but the taste from one bite is certainly nothing but simple. It is an excellent choice of dish to bring for picnic dates as well since you can easily just pluck a slice from the container and enjoy it free from making any mess in doing so.
Why Does This Recipe Work?
Date Slice Recipe is one of the easiest and simplest recipes you can ever try to make at home without spending too much time perfecting it. However, the reason why this recipe is a must-try does not end there. Here are some of the things that will surely make you want to try this at home:
- This recipe is made up of seven ingredients, all of which can be easily found in your cupboards. If not, the convenience store nearest to you sure has them.
- This dish is perfect to be served all year round. No matter the occasion, no matter the date, no matter how high or low the temperature is, this dish is an excellent recipe to be made for the whole family.
- Date slices can be enjoyed by anyone from your family, from children to adults. Give these slices to your kids as treats after doing all their school work, and serve some to the adults along with refreshments.
- This recipe is freezer-friendly, which allows you to store it for up to three months! Enjoy the delicious goodness of this dish for so long!
- Each bite carries no pretense other than serving you with the mouthwatering mild sweetness and caramel taste with a soft and chewy texture.
What's in This Recipe?
Dates. Would this recipe be called Date Slices without dates in it? Absolutely not. Include dates into your bunch of ingredients to have that sweet with a rich, intensive caramel-like taste. If you are that observant, including dates in this recipe, you will notice the notes of cinnamon, butterscotch, and toffee as well.
Vanilla Extract. Another interesting flavor to add to your date slices, vanilla extract has a musky and woody sweetness that will easily blend with the taste of the dates in this recipe.
Plain Flour. This recipe will be so incomplete and will have a lumpy structure and texture without the presence of plain flour. Plain flour gives this recipe its mass and volume so long as you add the right amount needed.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda. Let the batter rise to give you a soft and chewy texture by adding baking powder and baking soda.
Granulated Sugar.It does not only make your date slices sweeter, but it also makes this recipe browner with a bit of crispiness.
Rolled Oats. they deliver texture and support to this recipe. Rolled oats also add a delicious, almost nutty flavor.
Butter. Aside from giving richness to the flavor in this recipe, slattering parchment paper with butter also allows the date slices to be easily removed from the parchment paper after baking.
How To Make Date Slices?
Preheat the oven to 160C/325F and line a 20cm square tin with parchment paper.
Place dates and water in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and cook for 9-10 minutes until soft.
Stir in the vanilla extract, and then set aside to cool.
In a mixing bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar and oats and then rub in the butter lightly.
Now, Press half the flour mixture into the bottom of the baking tin.
Spread the dates on top, then cover with the remaining crumb mixture and press down firmly.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until it becomes golden brown.
Cut into squares while still warm, then let it cool, then serve.
Top Tips!
- Cut the dish into desired slices while it's still warm or fresh from the oven to get the best flavor. Before storing it in a container, please let it cool completely as this will help it to set.
- Don't put too much baking soda and baking powder in the mixture because it will not only ruin the texture but will also give your dates slice a terribly bitter taste.
Recipe Variations
- Use Medjool dates for this recipe as they are the best type of dates for baking and are cheaper and easier to find.
- Some may think that this recipe is too plain, too simple, and somehow lacking. Diminish that thought and add to the mixture cocoa powder for chocolatey flavor! Who would say no to chocolate date slices?
- You may add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg or dry ginger to the crumble mixture.
Serving Suggestions
Aside from tea and hot coffee, milkshakes and even just a simple glass of orange juice can easily be paired with this snack. You may also make this dish a side dish for your braised chicken legs with grapes and fennel, and different main course dishes like pasta, seared scallops, and other seafood. For a simpler take on serving this dish, serve it with a scoop of your favorite ice cream!
Storage
To store: This recipe should be stored and kept in an airtight container once fully cooled down. Place it in your pantry for up to one week.
Freeze: Place the dish in an airtight container and freeze it for up to three months. To defrost your date slices, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Recipe FAQs
Date Slice Recipe has butter in it, which is not a vegan-friendly product. Thus, this dish is not a vegan-friendly recipe. However, if you are to use a plant-based butter like Milkadamia Salted Buttery Spread, then you can easily make this recipe vegan-friendly.
You may substitute plain flour, baking powder, and baking soda with sifted 1 ⅓ cups or 200g of self-raising flour.
Recipes you may like
Date Slice Recipe
Ingredients
- 225 g dates , chopped
- 125 ml water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 110 g plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 175 g sugar
- 110 g rolled oats
- 110 g butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160C/325F and line a 20cm square tin with parchment paper.
- Place dates and water in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and cook for 9-10 minutes until soft.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, and then set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar and oats and then rub in the butter lightly.
- Now, Press half the flour mixture into the bottom of the baking tin.
- Spread the dates on top, then cover with the remaining crumb mixture and press down firmly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until it becomes golden brown.
- Cut into squares while still warm, then let it cool, then serve.
Notes
- Cut the dish into desired slices while it's still warm or fresh from the oven to get the best flavor. Before storing it in a container, please let it cool completely as this will help it to set.
- Don't put too much baking soda and baking powder in the mixture because it will not only ruin the texture but will also give your dates slice a terribly bitter taste.
Recipe Variations
- Use Medjool dates for this recipe as they are the best type of dates for baking and are cheaper and easier to find.
- Some may think that this recipe is too plain, too simple, and somehow lacking. Diminish that thought and add to the mixture cocoa powder for chocolatey flavor! Who would say no to chocolate date slices?
- You may add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg or dry ginger to the crumble mixture.
Nutrition
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Winnie
I love dates, but it is very hard to find dates where I live. What is the best substitute for dates?
Radwa
I think dried fig is the best substitute for the date.
Emaan
Dates are super healthy!