Fig & Date Squares
My Mum used to make wonderful date squares when I was younger, and this is what I came up with after trying to create a gluten and sugar-free version. It just happens to be raw too!
Ingredients
- FIG & DATE FILLING
- ⅔ cup dried figs
- ⅔ cup dates, pitted
- 1 tablespoon lemon or orange juice
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- CRUMBLY BASE AND TOPPING
- 1 cup pecans
- ½ cup almonds
- ½ cup shredded dried coconut
- 4 large dates, pitted
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch sea salt
Preparation
Place first four ingredients in a food processor and blend to a paste. Set aside.
Process the pecans, almonds, coconut, cinnamon and salt in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add dates one at a time and process until the mixture starts to stick together.
In a small square baking pan, arrange half of the crumble as a base. Then spread all the fig/date mixture on top, and sprinkle with the remaining crumble on top. Press layers together with the back of a spoon. Cut into squares.
If you want a warm square, you can place the pan in the dehydrator for a few hours.
Comments
joseegonthier writes: (February 09, 2007)
Oh my, this looks incredible!! I cannot wait to try this!! Thanks :) I loooove date and fig squares!
Nagev writes: (February 10, 2007)
O geez. I just made these and they are incredible. I need to find a plce to hide them away or they’ll dissapear in a few hours. Thanks so much for this awsome recipe!
James
P.S. I used walnuts instead of pecans.
gypsyIX writes: (February 17, 2007)
i just made these… and i want to marry them.
TwoBaggs writes: (February 28, 2007)
Very good! I used walnuts instead of pecans too.
Melody writes: (March 07, 2007)
This are delicious! I’m all new to this stuff – this is a great start! I used walnuts and added a bit of honey to the crumb mixture (maybe my dates were too small). Thanks…...............
Alicia writes: (March 13, 2007)
These seriously taste better than the real thing… moist and very delicious!
k8lyn07 writes: (March 19, 2007)
mmm these are sooo good.
skyespice writes: (March 30, 2007)
I don’t like figs, BUT – my family LOVED these so much! Definitely recommend it on their behalf!
joesc writes: (April 02, 2007)
This recipe looks yummy!!
coco writes: (May 23, 2007)
I made these tonight….. and they are absolutely delicious !
raw_mama writes: (June 24, 2007)
OH-MY-GOODNESS! I’m in love! Fig Newtons were always one of my favorites & now I can eat them again~ this time even better. I’m eating one now & I don’t know how I’ll be able to stop.
rawredbone writes: (June 26, 2007)
OOOOOOHHHHHH RaWsOmE…. these are so good. I had to actually walk away from them for fear of eating it all up
2 husky girl writes: (July 02, 2007)
If I only have fresh figs right now, do you think I would still use 2/3 cups?
bellasera writes: (July 04, 2007)
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm I can’t wait to make these!
leafekat writes: (July 11, 2007)
I just bought some fresh figs at the store. I have never had figs other than Fig Newtons. I don’t think processed cookies count as really eating figs.
So we are going to make these right now.
leafekat writes: (July 12, 2007)
Oh… I need dry figs.
2 husky gril did you make these with fresh figs?
KurdishMom0607 writes: (July 15, 2007)
Just a question… My husband is allergic to honey.. any suggestions on what to add instead? Or does the recipe really need it? I’m thinking about just leaving it out. Thankfully I have a fig tree right in my front yard and there are plenty of figs this year.. so I am going to try this recipe on my hubby and in-laws and see if they like it or not.. Thanks for the info
Jesscappucci writes: (July 24, 2007)
These where really good and Kurdishmom0607 try agave nectar its just like honey that would probaly work great!
earthintruder writes: (July 25, 2007)
oh my flippin goodness!! these are sooo delicious! my BF loves fig newmons, now we can have them raw!!! love love love muah!
damzlfly writes: (July 26, 2007)
has anyone tried this with fresh figs? i couldnt find dried…tho really i could just dry em…but fresh is so much better.
damzlfly writes: (July 27, 2007)
I made them thsi moring with a pint of fresh figs. OMG delish. The filling is a bit gooey (which I can handle lol) so i put the tray in the freezer. i used a loaf pan and it looks to make about 12 1X2” squares.
lauraj writes: (August 13, 2007)
I just made these and they are in the dehydrator now. I used pecans and Black Missions, because the store was out of Calimyrnas. Also used Deglets for the filling and Medjools in the crust. I was disappointed at first because I expected a Fig Newton. Raw can only imitate, never duplicate. I am thinking these would be really good next time using dried apricots, or fresh berries such as raspberries or strawberries in the filling. I’ll update once I taste them out of the dehydrator. My problem lately is that nearly every raw cookie or bar I make comes out tasting too similar as the next. And I am using different recipes! It has gotta be the nuts, dates, cinnamon..these are used in an awful lot of recipes. Soo..,now it is time to try something different. A cacao flavored cookie next time, perhaps.
lauraj writes: (August 13, 2007)
UPDATE- HOLY TOLEDO THESE ARE AMAZING!!!! The trick to making these is they MUST be warmed in the dehydrator. I rate these a 10 fresh out of the dehydrator, but maybe only a 2 cold (10 being the best). Seriously, the dehydrator makes the fig filling soft, moist, delicious, while making the cookie part warm, softer, drier. For anyone who makes this..If you aren’t going to dehydrate, don’t bother. If you are, try to save some for the next day!!
Sioen writes: (August 21, 2007)
count me as another person who says: DEHYDRATE THESE!
They are super amazing oh-my-flying-spaghetti-monster good. I dehydrate them for about 4-6 hours, or until I can’t wait anymore and start eating them. The base gets dry and cookie-like, the filling solidifies a bit. Mmmmmmm!
Thanks for the recipe!
rawlady writes: (August 22, 2007)
I can’t do coconut. Anyone have an idea for a good substitute for shredded coconut?
rawbryan writes: (August 23, 2007)
Instead of coconut or for more color flavor, try zesting or grating the zest of the orange or lemon or lime! Great recipe! Bryan Au http://www.RawInTen.com & http://www.RawOrganicSavingThePlanet.com
iwasthelion writes: (October 06, 2007)
I only had fresh figs and didn’t want to do anything but engulf them plain, so I used prunes haha. They were incredible! Probably one of my favorite recipes here so far. Thank you! :) :)
kalelemonade writes: (December 25, 2007)
WOW So yummy… So easy. These are such a great treat, great for everyone!
Luna blu writes: (February 26, 2008)
I have made these twice in the last 2 weeks! My non raw hubby and friends loooooove them. SO DO I!! I use only dates, no figs, and it’s just like the date squares I used to love to eat! Thanks for this recipe!
Winona writes: (March 24, 2008)
I make these with dates, no figs. Fantastic!
SarahJ writes: (March 29, 2008)
Is there a way to give more than 5 stars? This is absolutely fantastic.
rachel_akiko writes: (April 07, 2008)
raw_mama, they seriously taste like Fig Newtons?! Now I HAVE to make these!! I’m so excited :D
ardesmond2 writes: (April 14, 2008)
I make these every week glad to see they made it in the top visited recipe section.
lstorz writes: (April 18, 2008)
YUM! These are fantastic! I particularly love the crust. It tastes like apple pie to me. This is going to be a new favorite raw dessert for me. Thanks for the recipe!
angie writes: (April 27, 2008)
I’ve never had date squares, but these sound good now that I hear uh, read all the comments. I’ll have to try them when I get more figs – I usually just buy a few once in a while to snack on, so it will be fun to have them in something.
bitt writes: (April 27, 2008)
We have been looking for things that taste like lara bars and mmm these hit the spot. the only problem was there wasn’t enough!
I used prunes too. Came out fine.
babycat writes: (September 13, 2008)
mine are wet. I added water like a fool. I put them in the fridge, lets see how much damage I did. Seemed I had more nuttop than date filling….still smells yummies tho. Might just have to eat it out of the pan I guess. We’ll see.
babycat writes: (September 13, 2008)
well no bars for me. Just a spoon. Tastes like fig newtons tho, really energizing….yummies
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