Crunchy Ginger Date Square with Apple Butter
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
Description
A delightful date square with a crust made from ginger snaps, perfectly complemented by a layer of apple butter.
Ingredients
- 500g dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 150g ginger nut cookies
- 1 cup (240 ml) rolled oats
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) sugar3/4 cup (175g) butter, softened
For apple butter:
- 2 green apples, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
- 4 tbsp (60g) butter, softened
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) icing sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium saucepan, combine the dates, water, lemon juice, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Add the baking soda, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool.
- In a food processor, process the ginger nut cookies until they resemble coarse crumbs.
- In a large bowl, combine the processed ginger cookies, rolled oats, whole wheat flour, and sugar. Mix well.
- Press half of the cookie mixture into the bottom of a greased 8×8 inch baking dish to form the crust.
- Spread the cooled date mixture evenly over the crust.
- Spread the apple butter over the date layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining cookie mixture over the top, pressing down lightly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and crisp.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Store the squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a twist, try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to the crust mixture.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 0
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the apple butter layer in this recipe, and how is it made?
The apple butter here is a simple cooked topping, not a jarred spread: 2 green apples (peeled and chopped) are simmered with ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water, then the cooked apples are blended with 4 tbsp softened butter and ¼ cup icing sugar. It gets spread over the date filling before the final crumb layer.
Why does the date filling use baking soda?
Step 3 adds baking soda to the simmering dates (with water, lemon juice, and sugar). The baking soda reacts with the acidic fruit, helping the dates break down faster and giving the filling a silkier, thicker texture.
How do ginger nut cookies work as the crust?
150g of ginger nut cookies are processed into coarse crumbs and combined with rolled oats, whole wheat flour, sugar, and softened butter. Half presses into the pan as the base, and the other half goes on top. The excerpt notes it is “amazing how well it all goes together,” and the ginger spice contrasts with the sweet dates. 
How long do these squares keep?
The notes say to store the squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
