Best Apricot Date Squares Recipes

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APRICOT DATE SQUARES



Apricot Date Squares image

Memories of her mom's fruity date bars inspired Shannon Koene of Blacksburg, Virginia to create this wonderful recipe. "I've had great results replacing the apricot jam with orange marmalade," notes Shannon.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h5m

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup 100% apricot spreadable fruit or jam
1-3/4 cups old-fashioned oats
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cold butter, cubed

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar and dates. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 1-1/3 cups and is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. , Remove from the heat. Stir in spreadable fruit until blended; set aside. In a food processor, combine the oats, flour, coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add butter; cover and process until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. , Press 3 cups crumb mixture into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spread date mixture to within 1/2 in. of edges. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture; press down gently. , Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 147 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 65mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

DATE OR APRICOT SQUARES



Date or Apricot Squares image

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     dessert

Time 1h

Yield About 16 squares

Number Of Ingredients 7

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 pound pitted dates or dried apricots
2 eggs
1 cup light brown sugar
Pinch salt

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan (not necessary with nonstick pan).
  • Combine butter, 1 cup flour and the granulated sugar in a food processor. Pulse until ingredients are pebbly and crumbly; mixture will be quite dry. Press into pan, and bake for 15 minutes or until shell is evenly cooked.
  • If fruit is very dry, stew it in water to cover in a small saucepan until soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain very well, then chop. Combine in a bowl with eggs, brown sugar, remaining flour and salt.
  • Remove pan from oven, and pour fruit batter over crust. Bake until lightly browned and firm on edges but still a little soft in middle, about 30 minutes. Cool, then cut into squares and serve. Store, covered and refrigerated, for up to 2 days.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 177, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 29 grams, Fat 6 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 31 milligrams, Sugar 20 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CHEWY DATE, PECAN & APRICOT SQUARES



CHEWY DATE, PECAN & APRICOT SQUARES image

Categories     Cookies     Egg     Dessert     Bake     Wheat/Gluten-Free

Yield 15 bars

Number Of Ingredients 10

3/4 cup Oat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/3 cup dates pitted, chopped
1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F and butter a 10-inch by 10-inch pan. Toss the dates and apricots with 1 tablespoon of flour. Add the nuts and set aside. Place the eggs in a mixing bowl and whip them with an electric mixer until frothy. Gradually add the brown sugar and continue whipping until the mixture is thick, about 5 minutes. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl and fold it into the egg mixture. Fold in the fruit and nut mixture. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake until golden brown and springy to the touch, about 20 minutes. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

APRICOT DATE SQUARES



Apricot Date Squares image

From my Mamaw's recipe collection.

Provided by Chrystal Cackler @journeyrock92

Categories     Cookies

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup(s) water
1 cup(s) sugar
1 cup(s) chopped dates
1/2 cup(s) 100% apricot spreadable fruit or jam
1 3/4 cup(s) old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cup(s) all purpose flour
1 cup(s) flaked coconut
1 cup(s) packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
3/4 cup(s) cold butter, cubed

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar and dates. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 1-1/3 cups and is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from the heat. Stir in spreadable fruit until blended; set aside. In a food processor, combine the oats, flour, coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add butter; cover and process until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press 3 cups crumb mixture into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spread date mixture to within 1/2 in. of edges. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture; press down gently.
  • Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares.

Apricot date squares are a delicious and healthy dessert that is easy to make at home. This recipe combines the natural sweetness of dates and apricots with the hearty texture of oats to create a perfect snack or dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth without making you feel guilty. These bars are perfect for breakfast, snacking, or even as a dessert after dinner. This article will explore more about apricot date squares, including the benefits, ingredients, and preparation methods.

Ingredients

To make apricot date squares, you’ll need the following ingredients:
  • 2 cups of dried apricots
  • 1 cup of pitted dates
  • 2 cups of rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup of unsalted butter or coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup of brown sugar or honey
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt

Benefits of Apricot Date Squares

Apricot date squares offer several benefits, making them a perfect snack or dessert for anyone who wants to lead a healthy lifestyle. For instance:
  • Apricots are a great source of vitamins A and C, which help to boost the immune system
  • Dates are rich in fiber, which supports healthy digestion and improves heart health
  • Oats are loaded with fiber and protein, which helps to keep you feeling full longer and reduces cravings
  • These bars contain no refined sugar, which makes them a healthier alternative to traditional desserts

How to Make Apricot Date Squares

Making apricot date squares is easy, and you can have delicious bars in less than 30 minutes. Here’s how to do it:
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), and line a 9x9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, cinnamon, and salt, and set aside.
  3. In a food processor, blend the apricots, dates, butter or coconut oil, brown sugar or honey, and vanilla extract until it forms a smooth paste.
  4. Pour the apricot mixture over the oats and mix well.
  5. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
  7. Remove from the oven and let it cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
  8. Enjoy!

Variations

There are many variations of apricot date squares that you can try. For instance:
  • To make gluten-free apricot date squares, use gluten-free oats instead of traditional oats.
  • You can add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the oat mixture for extra crunch.
  • Try swapping out apricots for other dried fruits, such as dried figs, raisins, or cherries.
  • If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of brown sugar.
  • You can also add a layer of chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate on top for an extra decadent dessert.

Conclusion

In conclusion, apricot date squares are a delicious and healthy snack that is easy to make at home. With the right ingredients and preparation method, you can have a perfect snack or dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth and helps you lead a healthy lifestyle. Try this recipe today and enjoy the rich flavor and benefits of apricot date squares.

Apricot date squares are a delightful dessert that combines the sweetness of apricots and dates with the chewy texture of oats, creating a delectable treat. Whether you are making them for a family gathering, a party, or a simple dessert, the following tips will guide you through the process of making perfect apricot date squares.

1. Use the Right Ingredients

The first step to creating delicious apricot date squares is to use the right ingredients. Make sure to use high-quality, fresh ingredients, especially when it comes to the apricots and dates. Using fresh fruit will help to create a juicy filling that is bursting with flavor. Additionally, you will want to use pure maple syrup, unsalted butter, and pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup of unsalted butter
  • 1 cup of pure maple syrup
  • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups of oats
  • 1 tsp of baking soda
  • 1 tsp of salt
  • 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups of dried apricots
  • 1 cup of dates, pitted and chopped

2. Prep your Filling

Before starting on your crust, you will want to prep your filling. You can start by removing the pits from the dates and chop them into small pieces. Next, you will chop your dried apricots into small pieces and set them aside. Once you have prepped your fruit, you can mix them together in a large bowl. This will help them to blend and create a sweet and fruity filling.

3. Create your Crust

Now that you have prepped your filling, it's time to create the crust. Begin by creaming the unsalted butter and pure maple syrup together, then mix in the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and pure vanilla extract. Once you have a well-combined mixture, set 1/3 of the mixture to one side to use as a crumble topping. Press the remaining mixture onto the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, making sure to spread it out evenly. Once you have pressed the crust down, you can spread the filling evenly over the top of the crust.

4. Add Toppings

Now that your filling is in place, it's time to add your crumble topping. Take the 1/3 of the crust mixture that you set aside earlier and crumble it over the top of the filling. You can then add additional toppings, such as chopped nuts or shredded coconut, to add some extra flavor and texture to your apricot date squares.

5. Bake to Perfection

Once you have added your toppings, it's time to bake your apricot date squares. Preheat your oven to 350°F, then bake your squares for approximately 30-35 minutes. You will know they are done when they are golden brown and the filling is bubbling. After baking, remove the squares from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature before cutting them into squares. This will allow them to set and become easier to handle.

Conclusion

There you have it, our top tips for making perfect apricot date squares! From using the right ingredients to prepping your filling and adding delicious toppings, these tips will help you to create a sweet and chewy dessert that is sure to impress. So, whether you are making these squares for a special occasion or just as a sweet treat, use these tips to create the best apricot date squares ever!

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