Chocolate Orange Date Crumbles

Chocolate Orange Date Crumbles. A reinvented version of a popular old fashioned favourite cookie bar, date crumbles or matrimonial squares. 

Chocolate Orange Date Crumbles.

Originally published June 2012.

Yes, I know I’m obsessed with chocolate-orange, we’ve covered that! But, this one is more than another excuse to indulge in one of my favorite dessert flavour combinations.

This scrumptious square is a great example of how I like to play with a great recipe to create something new.

Chocolate Orange Date Crumbles.

After I recently re-shot and re-posted the photo for Newfoundland’s favorite cookie square, the Date Crumble, a  reader wrote with a suggestion. She said that she sometimes adds cocoa powder to her crumble to make a chocolate version of date crumbles! 

Dried (dessicated( unsweetened coconut is the type to use in this recipe.

I knew I had to try that idea but I also decided to really amp up the filling with intense orange flavour.

I loved the result  and I know that this version will make it to my Christmas cookie freezer selection this year for sure.

Dried dates for the filling.

TIPS:

• Some people prefer these date squares with less filling so you can reduce the amounts in the filling by 1/4, 1/3 or even 1/2 if you prefer.
• For something a little different, try using seasonal citrus like tangerines or even clementines at the Holidays.

Orange and chocolate are one of my favourite flavour combinations.

You might also like to try some of our very popular recipes in our Best Newfoundland Christmas Cookies Collection. They are definitely worth making at any time of year!

Newfoundland Christmas Cookie Recipes

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Chocolate Orange Date Crumbles

Yield: 36 cookie bars

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Chocolate Orange Date Crumbles. A reinvented version of a popular old fashioned favourite cookie bar, date crumbles or matrimonial squares. 

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Ingredients

For the filling

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• 18 ounces dates, chopped (about 4 cups. (See note below)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup orange juice concentrate
• finely grated zest of one small orange

For the crumble

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• 2 cups rolled oats (large)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut
• 1 2/3 cups flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 ½ cups butter, cut in small cubes.

Instructions

To prepare the filling

1. First prepare the filling. In a medium saucepan combine all of the filling ingredients and gently boil until thickened (about 10-15 minutes).
2. The filling should be very thick; you will need to watch it carefully and stir constantly in the last few minutes of cooking time to prevent burning.
3. Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the crumble mixture.

To prepare the crumble

1. In a large bowl toss together the rolled oats, baking powder, coconut, flour, cocoa and brown sugar.
2. Using your hands, rub the butter thoroughly through the dry ingredients.
3. Divide crumble mixture in half and press half into the bottom of a 9x13 inch greased baking pan.
4. Spread the cooled date mixture over the base.
5. Top with remaining crumb mixture, pressing it together in clumps in your hands and then breaking it into small pieces with your fingers.
6. Press down lightly. Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees F. (325 degrees F for glass bakeware)

Notes

Some people prefer these date squares with less filling so you can reduce the amounts in the filling by 1/4, 1/3 or even 1/2 if you prefer.

Nutrition Information

Yield

36

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 200Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 23mgSodium 99mgCarbohydrates 26gFiber 2gSugar 16gProtein 2g

The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.

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