Matrimonial Cake

This recipe is called Date Sandwich Cake in some old cookbooks. Other variations are Raisin Squares or Fig Squares.

Date Squares (Matrimonial Cake, if you happen to come from the West) are a real nostalgia treat. The fillings in the 30s recipes were extremely sweet. Today’s versions reduce the sugar in the filling, since the dates are sweet enough, and are often microwaved.

Raisin Puff, an old favorite in P.E.I., is somewhat similar, with raisin filling sandwiched between layers of soft cookie dough instead of an oatmeal mixture.

Matrimonial Cake

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Makes36 Squares

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup Flour all purpose
• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda salt
• 3/4 cup butter softened

Filling:

• 2 cup dates chopped, pitted
• 1/2 cup sugar granulated
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Water boiling

Instructions

Filling:

• In saucepan, cook dates, sugar, lemon juice and water over medium heat, stirring often, until the dates are soft, about 15 minutes.
• Let cool.

Cake:

• In a bowl, combine flour, rolled oats, sugar, baking soda and salt; blend in butter until mixture is crumbly. Pat half onto bottom of 9-inch square pan.
• Spread filling evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining flour mixture, patting lightly.
• Bake in a 350 F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until nicely browned.
• Let cool; cut into squares.

Notes

Variation:

Mincemeat Squares: Use 2 cups mincemeat instead of date filling.