Part 1: A Sweet Slice of Nostalgia – Meet the Matrimonial Cake

(Styled like The Best Blog Recipes – warm, friendly, and packed with easy-to-follow tips and charm)

If you’re looking for a traybake that’s cosy, comforting, and completely steeped in tradition, then let me introduce you to Matrimonial Cake Squares—also known as Date Crumble Bars. These little beauties are a sweet, sticky trip down memory lane for many families across Scotland and Northern Ireland, and once you’ve tasted them, you’ll see why they’ve stood the test of time.

I remember my gran making these when I was little. They were always part of the tin of “wee treats” that came out with the teapot—soft, sticky dates nestled between two buttery, oaty layers that managed to be both crumbly and chewy all at once. No icing, no fuss—just really good baking.

These bars are perfect for teatime, lunchboxes, or a make-ahead dessert for guests. They’re hearty and naturally sweet from the dates, and best of all? They freeze like a dream—so you can make a batch and save some for another day (or, let’s be honest, midnight snacks).

Let’s bake up a tray of nostalgia!

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🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Date Filling:

• 🌴 300g chopped dates (Deglet Noor or Medjool work well)

• 💧 150ml water

• 🍋 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 🌸 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Oat Crumble:

• 🌾 150g plain flour

• 🌾 150g rolled oats

• 🍬 100g light brown sugar

• 🧈 175g unsalted butter, melted

• 🧂 Pinch of salt

• 🥄 ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

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👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

🔥 Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Tin

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (fan) and line a 20cm square baking tin with parchment paper. This helps with easy removal once baked—nobody wants a stuck crumble bar!

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🌴 Step 2: Make the Date Filling

In a small saucepan, combine your chopped dates, water, and lemon juice. Bring it to a gentle simmer and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture is soft and thickened. It should look a bit like sticky jam.

Once it’s nice and gooey, stir in the vanilla extract and let it cool slightly while you prepare the crumble layers.

💡 Tip: If your dates are on the dry side, soak them in hot water for 5 minutes before cooking—they’ll soften right up!

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🥣 Step 3: Make the Crumble Base & Topping

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and bicarbonate of soda.

Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture is crumbly and evenly coated—almost like a rough dough. You want it to hold together when pressed but still have that lovely, crumbly texture.

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📦 Step 4: Assemble

Press half of the crumble mixture firmly into the base of your prepared tin. Use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup to really pack it in—it forms the foundation for the bars.

Now spread the cooled date filling evenly over the base. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just do your best to get it into an even layer.

Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the top and press down gently. You don’t want to flatten it too much—just enough so it bakes together nicely.

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Coming up in Part 2: Baking to Perfection, Storing Like a Pro & Handy Swaps You’ll Love
[Continue to Part 2 →]

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Part 2: Bake, Cool & Enjoy – The Perfect Oaty Date Bars

Now that your tray is all layered up and ready, let’s get baking and bring out that golden, crumbly finish.

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🔥 Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the tray in your preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is light golden and set. You’ll know it’s ready when it smells like a cross between oatmeal cookies and caramelised sugar. Heaven.

💡 Tip: If your oven runs hot, check at the 25-minute mark to make sure the top doesn’t brown too quickly.

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🧊 Step 6: Cool & Slice

Let the tray cool completely in the tin. This is key—if you try to cut the bars while warm, the filling might still be soft and the oat topping could crumble. Once cooled, lift it out and slice into 12 even squares (or smaller, if you’re feeling dainty!).

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🍰 Serving Ideas

These bars are delicious on their own, but you can dress them up a little:

• Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert

• With a cuppa as an afternoon pick-me-up

• Drizzled with a touch of honey or maple syrup for a naturally sweet treat

• Wrapped up for lunchboxes or bake sales

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💡 Tips, Variations & Freezer Magic

🌰 Want Extra Crunch?

Stir a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans into the crumble mixture. It adds a lovely texture and nutty depth.

🌴 Richer Date Filling?

If you can find Medjool dates, use them! They’re softer and sweeter than regular dates, and the filling turns out extra sticky and luxurious.

🍯 Fancy a Twist?

Swap out a spoonful of the brown sugar for honey or maple syrup in the crumble. It adds a new layer of flavour and natural sweetness.

❄️ Can I Freeze These?

Absolutely! These bars freeze beautifully. Just place parchment between layers, pop them into an airtight container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.

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Next up in Part 3: FAQs, Substitutions & Final Thoughts on This Beloved Family Favourite
[Continue to Part 3 →]

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Part 3: FAQs + Final Thoughts

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use pre-chopped dates?
Yes—but check the packaging. Some are quite dry, so consider soaking them briefly in hot water before cooking.

2. Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
You can, but the texture will be softer and less crumbly. Rolled oats give that traditional chew we all love in crumble bars.

3. Do I need to peel the dates?
Nope! Just chop them up and cook them down—the skins break down as they cook.

4. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the butter for a plant-based alternative. Just make sure it’s the block-style butter, not a soft spread.

5. What’s the best way to store these?
In an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days, or in the fridge if it’s particularly warm. They also freeze well.

6. Can I double the recipe?
Definitely. Use a 9×13″ tin and bake for an extra 5–10 minutes. Perfect for bake sales or batch baking.

7. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes—use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free oats. It works beautifully!

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💍 Final Thoughts

Matrimonial Cake Squares are a classic example of how simple ingredients can come together to make something truly special. With their buttery oat crumble, naturally sweet date filling, and no-fuss assembly, they’ve earned their place as a family favourite for generations.

Whether you’re making these for a Sunday bake, a quiet moment with a cuppa, or as a treat to share with friends, there’s something deeply comforting about their wholesome sweetness and crumbly texture.

So go ahead—channel a bit of sweet-shop tradition, slice yourself a square, and enjoy a little piece of baking history.

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