Fig Cranberry Matrimonial Slice Recipes

GRANDMOTHER'S MATRIMONIAL SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Stir oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and baking powder together in a bowl; cut in butter using a pastry blender until mixture is mealy and butter pieces are uniformly small.
• Press half of oat mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan.
• Cook dates with water in a small saucepan over medium heat until they fall apart and are easily mashed with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes; remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
• Spoon date mixture evenly over oat mixture in baking pan; sprinkle remaining oat mixture evenly over top and press into place.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crust is golden at the edges, about 30 minutes; remove to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

CRANBERRY DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°
• Line an 8" square baking pan with parchment paper, or spray with cooking spray
• In a saucepan, combine dates, cranberries, lemon juice and water.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened, stirring often, about 15 minutes, stirring often
• Set aside to cool
• In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, almond flour, brown sugar, and salt
• With a pastry blender, cut in cubed butter, until a crumbly dough is formed
• Firmly press half of the dough into prepared pan
• Spread cooled filling evenly over the crust
• Sprinkle the remaining dough mixture over the filling, pressing to firm it
• Bake in center of oven until golden, about 45 minutes
• Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares

CRANBERRY-FIG GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine vinegar and honey. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until mixture is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool., Lightly brush both sides of baguette slices with oil; place on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Set aside., In a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients; toss to coat. In another bowl, beat goat cheese, lemon zest and pepper until blended., To serve, spread goat cheese mixture over toasts. Stir cranberry mixture; spoon over goat cheese. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with mint.

CANADIAN MATRIMONIAL CAKE

Steps:

• 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.
• 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 350F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until nicely browned.
• Let cool; cut into squares.

MATRIMONIAL BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 13x9 inch baking pan.
• Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, salt and baking soda. Mix well. The mixture will be crumbly.
• In a saucepan over low heat, cook the chopped dates with the water and the white sugar until the pulp is soft and well mixed.
• Layer 1/2 of the oat mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Top with the date mixture and then finish off with the remaining oat mixture. Press down slightly on layers to compact.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes or until top crust begins to brown.