Spiced Date Citrus Squares (Printable Version)

Moist squares bursting with dates, warm spices, and fresh citrus zest, perfect for snacking or dessert.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
02 - 1 cup almond flour
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1 teaspoon baking powder

→ Wet and Fruit Ingredients

08 - 1 1/2 cups pitted Medjool dates, chopped
09 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
10 - 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
11 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
12 - 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
13 - 2 large eggs
14 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Optional Toppings

15 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
16 - Extra orange zest for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
02 - Combine chopped dates and orange juice in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until dates soften and mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in orange and lemon zest. Allow to cool slightly.
03 - In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, almond flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder. Mix thoroughly.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the cooled date mixture and mix until uniform.
05 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
06 - Spread batter evenly in the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle chopped nuts on top if using.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
08 - Allow squares to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into 16 pieces. Garnish with extra orange zest as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste indulgent but are naturally sweetened with just dates and a kiss of citrus.
  • The texture is somewhere between a blondie and a granola bar, chewy and satisfying without being heavy.
  • You can mix everything in two bowls and skip the stand mixer entirely.
  • They keep for days in a tin and actually get better as the flavors settle.
02 -
  • Let the date mixture cool before adding it to the eggs or you'll end up with scrambled bits, I learned this the hard way.
  • Don't skip simmering the dates, that step turns them from chewy chunks into a smooth, sweet binder that makes the whole recipe work.
  • Cool them completely before cutting or they'll crumble, patience here really pays off.
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for the neatest squares.
  • If your dates are dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before simmering to help them break down.
  • A little extra orange zest on top right before serving makes them look bakery-special.

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