Date Squares
Matrimonial Cake (dayt skwairz / MAT-rih-MOH-nee-ul kayk)
Matrimonial Cake
Chewy date filling sandwiched between buttery, crumbly oat layers — the classic Canadian bake sale staple found coast to coast.
Instructions
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1
Simmer chopped dates with water and lemon juice until soft and paste-like (10 min). Set aside to cool.
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2
Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in melted butter until crumbly.
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3
Press half the oat mixture firmly into a greased 9x13 pan.
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4
Spread the date filling evenly over the base.
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5
Crumble remaining oat mixture over the date layer, pressing lightly.
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6
Bake at 175C (350F) for 30-35 min until golden. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Did You Know?
They are called "matrimonial cake" on the Prairies because they were traditionally baked as wedding gifts — the date filling symbolizing sweetness in marriage.
The Story Behind Date Squares
Date squares became a Canadian staple in the early 1900s when dates were an affordable, shelf-stable pantry ingredient. The recipe spread through church cookbooks and community bake sales from coast to coast, earning the nickname matrimonial cake on the Prairies where they were a wedding celebration tradition.
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