Description
These Vegan Date Squares feature a naturally sweet, caramel-like date filling sandwiched between golden, crisp oat and flour crumble layers. They’re chewy, warm, and comforting — perfect as a snack or dessert, and fully plant-based with gluten-free and nut-free options.
Ingredients
350 g pitted dates (~2 cups)
1 cup water
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ tbsp vanilla extract
½ tsp baking soda
170 g rolled oats (~1 ⅔ cups)
155 g flour (all-purpose, oat, or almond) (~1 ⅓ cups)
80 g brown or coconut sugar (~6 ½ tbsp)
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp baking powder
150 g vegan butter or coconut oil (~⅔ cup)
50 g chopped pecans (~⅓ cup), optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine dates, water, lemon juice, and vanilla. Bring to a boil, then stir in baking soda. Simmer for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and spreadable. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder.
- Add melted vegan butter or coconut oil to the dry ingredients and mix until crumbly.
- Press half the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a firm base.
- Spread the date filling evenly over the base.
- Mix pecans (if using) into the remaining crumb mixture and sprinkle over the filling. Gently press down.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp.
- Let cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment to lift out, then slice into 9 squares.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use oat or almond flour and certified gluten-free oats.
Omit pecans for a nut-free option — the squares are still delicious.
Add shredded coconut for extra texture or a pinch of ginger/nutmeg for more spice.
Reduce the sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet crisp layer.
Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze with parchment between squares.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
