When I set out to make these date squares, I hoped they be good. I did not
anticipate inhaling three of them in mere seconds. They're THAT GOOD.
These little date squares bake up moist with a rich deep sweetness that comes
from both dates and coconut sugar. If you've never tried coconut sugar before,
you'll love its toasty flavor. Light brown sugar works as a 1:1
substitute.
It all started with my new date obsession. Somehow I came across this
California-based date farm online,
Rancho Meladuco, and decided to order a box of dates. (This is NOT a sponsored post; I'm
just sharing my love of them.) Y'all. I didn't know dates could be this yummy.
I'm now a regular customer. I've eaten, oh, a million or so of them with
Justin's Vanilla Almond Butter. I've stuffed them with cheese and wrapped them
in bacon. I've included them on a cheese platter to be eaten with Marcona
almonds. Like I said, obsessed.
I KNEW I had to bake something with them, so bake I did.
The dough for the squares comes together in a jiffy.
Smooth out the top and bake!
Don't they look just so homey and comforting? They are!
Once cooled, or mostly cooled (they're great warm), dust them with powdered
sugar.
Date squares - I think you'll find them surprisingly scrumptious, too!
Date Squares
YIELD: 16
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
BAKE TIME: 22 minutes
1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup coconut sugar*
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
4.4-4.5 ounces pitted Medjool dates, chopped
powdered sugar for serving
*light brown sugar may be substituted
Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour an 8x8" pan, tapping out the excess
flour.
Cream the butter and sugar together until well combined. Mix in the eggs and
vanilla. On low speed, add the flour, mixing until just combined. Stir in the
chopped dates.
Spread into the prepared pan. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until done. Let cool
on a wire rack until completely cooled or slightly warm. Cut into squares (a
bench scraper
works well here) and dust with powdered sugar.
*adapted from
Mary Berry's Fast Cakes
I dare you to eat just one! Heck, I dare you to eat only THREE!