Essential Ingredients for Matrimonial Cake

One of the many beauties of this date slice recipe lies in its simplicity. You’ll be pleased to find that you likely already have most, if not all, of these basic ingredients readily available in your pantry and fridge. We believe in using fresh, quality components to achieve the best flavor and texture for your homemade Matrimonial Cake.

• Quick Oats: For this recipe, quick oats are our preferred choice. They cook relatively faster than old-fashioned rolled oats and yield a softer, less chewy texture, which is ideal for the crumbly topping and base. It’s crucial, however, to steer clear of instant oats, as their finer consistency can result in a mushy texture in your squares.
• Unsalted Butter: We opt for unsalted butter to maintain precise control over the overall salt content in the recipe. This allows us to perfectly balance the flavors and avoid an overly salty outcome, ensuring the natural sweetness of the dates shines through.
• Dates, Pitted: Any variety of pitted dates you have on hand will work wonderfully for this recipe. While Medjool dates are often praised for their soft, caramel-like flavor, regular dates are perfectly acceptable. Since we’ll be simmering them in hot water, they will soften beautifully regardless of their initial texture, creating a rich and tender filling.
• Lemon Zest and Fresh Lemon Juice: This combination is a unique and essential element in my Grandma’s date square recipe. The bright, zesty notes of fresh lemon juice and finely grated lemon zest are not just for flavor; they play a critical role in balancing the inherent sweetness of the dates. This touch of citrus prevents the dessert from being overwhelmingly sweet, adding a delightful freshness that truly elevates the overall taste experience.

*For comprehensive details on all ingredients and exact quantities, please refer to the complete recipe card below.

Versatile Variations & Smart Substitutions

One of the great things about this Matrimonial Cake recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with these variations and substitutions to suit your dietary needs or personal preferences, without compromising on flavor.

• Butter: If you only have salted butter available, you can certainly use it as a substitute for unsalted butter. Just remember to omit the additional salt from the recipe to prevent it from becoming too savory.
• Lactose-Free: To make this delicious dessert suitable for those with lactose intolerance, simply swap out regular butter for a high-quality lactose-free butter. The taste and texture will remain wonderfully consistent.
• Gluten-Free: Achieving a gluten-free version is straightforward. Replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free as well to maintain a truly gluten-free treat.
• Dates: While regular pitted dates work perfectly, you can also use fresh dates or the softer, more luxurious Medjool dates. Don’t worry too much about their initial firmness; the cooking process with hot water will tenderize any variety, making them ideal for the creamy filling.
• Oats: If quick oats aren’t on hand, old-fashioned or rolled oats make an excellent substitute. To achieve a similar texture to quick oats, simply give the old-fashioned oats a few pulses in a food processor. This breaks them down slightly, ensuring they blend seamlessly into the crumb mixture.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Matrimonial Cake

Crafting this classic Matrimonial Cake is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these simple steps to create a dessert that will impress your family and friends.

Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with a non-stick cooking spray to ensure your squares don’t stick and are easy to remove.

In a small saucepan, combine your pitted dates, hot water, white granulated sugar, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the dates become wonderfully soft and most of the water has been absorbed. This process typically takes about 5 to 10 minutes, transforming the dates into a rich, pulpy consistency.

Once the date mixture has achieved its desired soft texture, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract, which adds a beautiful depth of flavor. Allow the filling to cool completely before proceeding to the next steps. Cooling is essential to prevent it from melting the butter in your crumb mixture later on.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, brown sugar, and quick oats. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure they are well combined and evenly distributed. This forms the basis for both your bottom crust and crumbly topping.

Add the cold, unsalted butter into the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Alternatively, for a clever shortcut, refer to our “Top Tip” below about grating frozen butter. Continue mixing until the butter is evenly distributed and the mixture has a uniform, crumbly texture, perfect for both layers.

Take approximately half of the prepared crumb mixture and spread it evenly into the bottom of your greased baking tin. Use a spatula to gently but firmly pat it down, creating a compact and consistent base layer for your Matrimonial Cake. This forms a sturdy foundation for the delicious date filling.

Now, carefully spread the cooled date mixture over the pressed crumb base. For the best results and to prevent the crumb from mixing into your smooth date layer, here’s a helpful hint: dab spoonfuls of the date filling all over the crust first. Then, very gently spread it out with a butter knife or the back of a spoon, avoiding excessive pressure that could disrupt the bottom layer. Patience is key here to achieve a clean, distinct filling layer.

Gently sprinkle and pat the remaining half of the oat and flour crumble mixture evenly over the date layer. Use a spatula to lightly press it down, creating a beautiful, golden brown topping that will become wonderfully crisp during baking.

Place your assembled Matrimonial Cake into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 to 28 minutes, or until the oatmeal crumble topping turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges are slightly firm. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before attempting to slice. Cooling thoroughly ensures clean cuts and prevents the squares from crumbling.

Expert Hint for Spreading the Filling: To ensure your date filling remains beautifully smooth and free of crumbs from the base, adopt this patient technique. First, drop small dollops of the cooled date mixture all over the bottom crust using a spatula or spoon. Then, with extreme care and a gentle hand, use a butter knife to spread these dollops together, working them across the crust. The key is to avoid dragging the knife across the dry crumb mixture underneath. This method requires a bit of patience, but the result will be a pristine, well-defined date layer.

Top Tip for a Perfect Crumbly Texture

For an exceptionally even crumbly texture in both your base and topping, and to make the process less messy, here’s a fantastic trick: instead of laboriously cutting cold butter into the flour and oat mixture with a pastry blender, try freezing your butter beforehand. Once frozen solid, simply grate the cold butter directly into your dry ingredients using a cheese grater. This method not only makes incorporating the butter significantly easier and faster but also ensures it is perfectly distributed throughout the mixture, leading to a consistently delicious and crumbly texture every time.

Serving Your Delicious Matrimonial Cake

This recipe for Matrimonial Cake yields approximately 18 generous slices, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends. However, you have complete flexibility to adjust the serving size to suit your needs. For larger gatherings or if you prefer smaller bites, simply cut the squares into more, smaller pieces. Conversely, if you desire fewer, more substantial portions, opt for larger cuts. You can also easily halve, double, or even triple the entire recipe by adjusting the serving number in the recipe card, and the ingredient quantities will automatically scale for your convenience.

For optimal flavor and texture, this date slice recipe is best served at room temperature or chilled. The slight chill enhances the firm structure of the squares and often deepens the flavors of the date filling and buttery oat crumble. For a charming presentation and easy handling, consider serving individual squares in extra-large paper muffin liners. This not only looks lovely but also makes them mess-free for guests.

Storage Tips for Freshness

To ensure your Matrimonial Cake remains as delicious as the day it was baked, proper storage is key. Follow these guidelines to keep your date squares fresh and enjoyable for longer.

Refrigerator: For short-term storage, place your date slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days (48 hours). If you need them to last longer, transfer them to the fridge where they will stay fresh for up to a week in an airtight container. The cooler temperature helps maintain their texture and prevents the dates from drying out.

Freezer: Matrimonial Cake freezes beautifully, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert! To freeze, arrange the squares in a single layer in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. For added convenience, you can even freeze individual squares directly in their paper cupcake liners, allowing for easy thawing and serving whenever a craving strikes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Matrimonial Cake

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Dive deeper into the rich and diverse world of Canadian cuisine with these other fantastic recipes. Each one offers a taste of our culinary heritage and is sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen.

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