Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Date-Walnut Squares


Lighter and tastier than many traditional recipes

Date-and-nut squares (aka bars) are a classic at holiday time. Problem is, many recipes yield dense – and filling – concoctions. This recipe is lighter, but still packs plenty of flavor.

Your guests will appreciate that. Because they’ll certainly want more than one.

So for your next holiday bash, we suggest baking a double batch of these beauties. You’ll have leftovers, but that’s the point. Because these are wonderful for breakfast, too.




Recipe: Date-Walnut Squares

Date-and-nut squares often call for streusel topping. Those are good, but more complicated to make, and the cookies tend to be heavy.

This recipe calls for just a light topping of (optional) powdered sugar. They’re simple to make, but very tasty.

Mrs. Kitchen Riffs is the baker in our household. She adapted this recipe from one she found in Sweet Maria’s Italian Cookie Tray, by Maria Bruscino Sanchez.

Prep time for this recipe is about 20 minutes. Baking time is 20 to 25 minutes. Then you’ll want to let the squares cool for a while after they come out of the oven (at least 30 minutes; an hour is better).

This recipe yields 2 to 3 dozen squares, depending on how large you cut them. They keep well for several days if sealed in an airtight container, refrigerated or not.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ~¼ teaspoon kosher salt (or you can substitute table salt; see Notes)
  • 1½ sticks unsalted butter
  • 1¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 5 eggs (preferably pasteurized; see Notes)
  • 3 cups dates, pitted and chopped
  • 3 cups walnuts, chopped
  • ~¼ cup powdered sugar (to top the squares; optional)
Procedure
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12x16-inch cookie pan with parchment paper (see Notes). Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and salt (see Notes). Set aside. 
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl, using a hand mixer), cream together the butter and sugar. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well blended. Beat in the eggs.
  4. Chop the dates, removing the pits as you go. Add the chopped dates to the butter/egg mixture and blend well. 
  5. Chop the walnuts. Add the chopped walnuts to the butter/egg mixture and blend well.
  6. Add the dry ingredients (flour and salt, Step 2) to the cookie mixture and mix until well blended.
  7. Spread the cookie mixture around the bottom of the prepared cookie pan, smoothing it as much as possible. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is starting to brown and is becoming firm. Do not overbake.
  8. Remove the cookie pan from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack. 
  9. Cut the cookies into squares measuring about 2 inches (or whatever size you prefer). Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve.

Notes
  • Make sure to use a cookie pan that has sides of at least one inch.
  • Why whisk together the flour and salt in Step 2? So that you thoroughly incorporate the salt into the flour. You want the salt evenly distributed throughout the batter, and this is the easiest way to do it.
  • Eggs carry a slight, but real, risk of salmonella. So when we make baked goods – or anything that we might taste raw, like the batter in these squares – we generally use pasteurized eggs. Most supermarkets carry them. They’re a bit pricey, but worth the peace of mind.
  • We use kosher salt in baking and cooking. Its flakes are larger than those of regular table salt, so it’s less salty by volume. If using regular table salt, start with only about half of what we suggest.
  • Although dates are available in supermarkets throughout the year, we always see more of them around this time (holiday baking season). 
  • Dates are the fruit of date palms, which often thrive in desert areas. Egypt is the largest producer of dates, but they’re grown throughout the Middle East. They’re also grown in the US (especially California and Arizona). The dates you see in US supermarkets are usually domestically grown.
  • There are hundreds of date cultivars, but the Medjool is probably the one most commonly found in US supermarkets.
  • You’re unlikely to find truly “fresh” dates – i.e., ones that have just ripened (those have a somewhat astringent flavor). What you see in the produce department at most supermarkets are “cured” dates – ones that have been partially dried. You can store cured dates in a sealable container at room temperature for a couple of months (and up to 8 months if refrigerated). 
  • You can eat cured dates out of hand, if you wish, though we find them a bit too sweet. They’re wonderful in baked goods, however, where they add flavor, sweetness, and moisture.

Square Dealing

“Thought you were my favorite date,” I said to Mrs. Kitchen Riffs between bites. “Until I tasted one of these.”

“You’re so romantic,” said Mrs K R. “But that pick-up line won’t win you any Medjools.”

“How about this one?” I said, biting into another date-walnut square. “Your baking skills aim for my stomach, but hit me squarely in the heart.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t use that one at the next oasis,” said Mrs K R. “Unless you’re planning to date a palm.”

“OK, so I’m not the most poetic,” I said, picking up yet another date-walnut goodie. “But I call these fair and square.”

“Say, isn’t that your third one already?” asked Mrs K R.

Uh, yeah. But they always say it’s important to have three squares a day.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Black- Walnut Sandies
Chocolate Chip Bars
Chocolate Fudge with Nutella
Walnut Apple Crisp
Walnut Roll Cake
Cranberry Apple Crisp with Nut Crumble
Rum-Frosted Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Or check out the index for more

82 comments:

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

I love reading your posts, they make me smile early in the morning while drinking my coffee. All I need now are a few pieces of your scrumptious date squares. Merry Christmas! 🎄

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlilnde, a square (or three) would go wonderfully well with your coffee! Thanks for the comment (and Merry Christmas!).

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen said...

A cookie that doubles as breakfast? You know I'm in! They look fantastic!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelsie, these make a wonderful breakfast! Ask me how I know. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Tricia Buice said...

Dates and walnuts are always a good idea and yes I would want more than one - yeah leftovers! Happy baking :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, one isn't enough, is it? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Angie's Recipes said...

LOL...you two are just funny haha! These date nut bars look fantastic!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, :-) These really are good -- can't resist them! Thanks for the comment.

Ansh said...

HA HA HA .. you ate 3 while commenting on Mrs KR's baking? And she is right .. that pick up line :))

Love the lightened recipe. I am not a fan of streusel . shh don't tell anyone

Mae Travels said...

Dates in the Midwest (like St. Louis or Ann Arbor) mean mainly Medjool dates, cured as you say. During our occasional stays in California I was amazed at the selection from date farmers at open-air markets. They grew around 4 other varieties as well as Medjool, and always offered tastes of their produce, often truly fresh. It's been a while since I made any date bars: I usually just eat them directly from the package or use them in sweet-savory stews like Moroccan tagines. I agree that your lighter recipe would work very well.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Laura Dembowski said...

These sound and look amazing. I love that they are loaded with dates and walnuts. No skimping here!

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

These look super! I really enjoy dates, especially at the holidays. This looks perfect for any time of the day.

Chef Mimi said...

These look and sound lovely! I wonderful if you could fold in whipped egg whites to make the batter even lighter?

Barb said...

I admit I love the old fashioned streusel version but the real truth is I just love dates...I know these would be met with huge satisfaction!

Good thing you're married John; the pickup lines are cute but well, not sure if they would actually work. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ansh, :-) I do like streusel, but the flavor of these is fantastic! Really good stuff. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, you're right, of course, that in date-growing areas fresh dates are readily available during harvest; and there are more varieties available. But cured dates are really the way to go for this recipe. And dates in tagines are wonderful! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, we never skimp! :D Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, I think most of us will eat this as a snack or for dessert, but it really does make a good breakfast. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mimi, hadn't thought about the egg white -- it's definitely worth a try! Sounds to me like it'd work. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Barb, I like the streusel variety, too, but the flavor of these is amazing. And when it comes to the pickup lines, I know, I know. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Cake for breakfast wins me over every time! In fact I think it would be the perfect date night breakfast. Well, you know what I mean!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, perfect date night breakfast indeed! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Eva Taylor said...

Date goodies always remind me of Christmas mainly because I devoured an entire plate date-filled oatmeal cookies when I visited her during my university days. Her Mom was perplexed as to how I could eat so many cookies but I did! These squares look wonderful and I bet they are also quite delicious.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eva, it's easy to eat way too many date goodies. These especially -- they're SO good! Thanks for the comment.

Denise Browning said...

These squares look so delicious... these and a cup of coffee= big smile!

Sippity Sup said...

Yes of course more than one. Isn't that why they call it a holiday bash? GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, big smile indeed! :D Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, good point! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

Dates and walnuts are a match made in heaven, these bars look heavenly!

Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon said...

Dates - nature's candy. It all sounds good to me. :)

Judy Purcell said...

Dates and walnuts are a must on our cheese tray, so I am certain having them together here would be a hit at our house. This looks like the ideal treat with tea or coffee with a friend. :)

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

Date bars are a favorite here -- my husband devours them. But the recipe I use sandwiches a rich date filling between two layers of dough. I find them very sweet and heavy -- I'm definitely going to try this one. Thanks, John.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Chris, they ARE heavenly! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Madonna, you're right -- dates are exactly like candy. So sweet! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Judy, these are terrific with tea or coffee. Or a glass of sherry. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rosemary, we've made that "sandwich" type of recipe. Good, but really sweet as you say. These are less sweet and much lighter -- really worth a try. Enjoy! And thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

Yum. I know my entire family would love these date walnut squares.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, I bet you're right that everyone in your family would enjoy these! Thanks for the comment.

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Oh a lighter date walnut squares, I really like that concept a lot! They are so good but often too heavy. Just might try these over the holidays!

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

I absolutely adore squares/bars, this combo could very well be my next favorite. Great dialog with Mrs. K R!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, we love the traditional date-walnut squares. But they really are kinda heavy. These? Well, three is a "serving." :D Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cheri, you'll like these -- TONS of flavor. And not as heavy as the traditional squares. Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

These do look lighter than the ones I'm use too. I've never been a fan because of the density of these bars. It's certainly not because I don't like walnut and dates. I love them! So thank you Mrs. KR for creating a lighter version.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, these are much lighter than the traditional ones. And we think the flavor is better. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Deb|EastofEdenCooking said...

My mom used to make date walnut squares! Thank you for reminding me about how wonderful they are! They would be a wonderful addition to any holiday cookie extravaganza.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, dates and walnuts are so nice together! And wonderful in baked good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

GiGi Eats Celebrities said...

This recipe actually reminds me of Mrs. Pike's Fruit Cake. A Fruitcake that always randomly wound up at our house for New Years every year and everyone would joke about it - kind of making fun of it, but then eating it and adoring it! ha!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, with the dates and walnuts this does have a bit of a fruit cake flavor to it. Kinda. Sorta. :-) Much less dense, though. Thanks for the comment.

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

Yes, I can see why you might want to eat two or three of these date bars! Date trees take years to propagate the fruit so you can certainly appreciate dates when you eat them. Say, I just read your recipe on slow-cooked ribs- must try these soon!

Unknown said...

Ooh, that's my kind of recipe. Dates and walnuts.. count me in. This looks so delicious, a must try for this season.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran, date are wonderful, aren't they? And that rib recipe is killer! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amira, dates and walnuts are wonderful together! Thanks for the comment.

Agness of Run Agness Run said...

Yummy! These walnut squares seem like an ultimate dessert which I just have to try, John! Thanks for making m mouth water! :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Agness, you'll like this, I think. And these won't weigh you down (too much) when you're running! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

I'm afraid I would like these date squares just a little *too* much. I can see it now - just having "one more" *tiny* square every time I walked by! But you've never done that, I'm sure.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jean, who, me? :-) I do it all the time! Thanks for the comment.

Healthy World Cuisine said...

Love dates in any shape or form. Nice that this recipe is a little lighter so now we can have 2!!!

mymansbelly said...

These sound like the perfect breakfast treat with a hot cup of coffee.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, at this time of the year lighter is a necessity! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pamela, these are terrific with coffee. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Robyn said...

Love this recipe, John! My mom made these for us as kids and we all looked forward to them at the holidays with their special topping. They certainly were heavy though but now I may try them your way - it's been ages! Thanks so much
Love your banter....and your photography is fabulous!

Frank said...

These look fantastic. I love dates because they're sweet without being *too* sweet. And the combination with walnuts takes it over the top.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Robyn, my mom made the traditional date bars too. I do like the streusel topping, but it's heavy! These have all the flavor -- more, really -- and are lighter. Well, as light as a date bar can be. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Frank, love dates in baked goods! Their sweetness is perfect for them. Thanks for the comment.

Marcellina said...

Love this classic combination of date and walnuts! These look so moreish!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcellina, good combo of flavors, huh? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Debra Eliotseats said...

These would be perfect for date night! I haven't made date bars in a long while! They do seem made for the holidays, though!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, these are ideal for date night! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

I like the dusting of powdered sugar as opposed to streusel. Dates are soooo sweet that streusel tends to make confections like this way too sugary. I much prefer your version. ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, dates really are sweet, aren't they? This dish is certainly sweet, but not overly so. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Easyfoodsmith said...

I am sold out to this recipe!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Taruna, it's an excellent one! Enjoy. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Emma - Bake Then Eat said...

I love dates so I know I would love these lovely looking squares.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Emma, dates are great, aren't they? As are these lovely squares. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today said...

I love dates and will be happy to use them in a new recipe :) thank you!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marta, hard to resist a date, isns't it? :-) They're so good in this recipe! Thanks for the comment.

cakespy said...

These look *wonderful*. I think it was just National Date Nut bread day recently, too - close enough! :-)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cakespy, didn't know about National Date Nut bread day! And you're right -- close enough. :D Thanks for the comment.

Anne@ASaladForAllSeasons said...

I love dates, John. I snack on them often. And I love a good date and nut bread, too. But these squares are calling my name! They look delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe! :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, dates are like the perfect food, right? Or at least awfully good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz (Good Things) said...

Hi John, I'm loving this one!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, these are really good -- definitely worth trying. :-) Thanks for the comment.