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Brownies & Squares

How to Make the Ultimate Date Oatmeal Squares

By Denise Pare-Watson

Urb’n’Spice Ultimate Recipes Series

In my family, Ultimate Date Oatmeal Squares have a long history.   My father-in-law loved these squares and every time we visited, a batch of these squares was always a must-have.  

Ultimate Date Oatmeal Squares | urbnspice.com
Ultimate Date Oatmeal Squares

My research indicates that this old-fashioned dessert has been popular for a very long time in Canada, particularly in Western Canada, Quebec and Newfoundland.  Date squares are made using layers of oat crumb crust and a date purée filling.  These delicious squares are also known as matrimonial cake. I thought that this was an unusual name until I understood the significance of the two layers of oat crumble holding the dates together.  Apparently, these layers symbolize the couple courting and then completing that bond in marriage (I suppose it made sense back then).

Ultimate Date Oatmeal Squares | urbnspice.com
Ultimate Date Oatmeal Bars are also known as Matrimonial Cake

I have made this recipe for The Ultimate Date Oatmeal Squares for many years.  I have always used traditional ingredients such as all-purpose flour, brown sugar and unsalted butter, which always provided a delicious result! In this post, I made modifications to this old fashioned recipe and have adapted it to make a gluten-free and dairy-free version with no loss of flavour, texture or overall appearance. I have provided both recipe versions with the gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients listed first and the traditional ingredients following.  Both deliver a great result.

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Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
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License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Brownies & Squares, Dairy Free Recipes, Desserts and Sweets, Gluten Free Recipes, My Recipes, Nut Free Recipes, School Lunch or After School Snacks, Urbnspice Ultimate Recipe Series Tagged With: Dairy-free Desserts, Dates, Desserts & Sweets, Gluten Free Desserts, Matrimonial Cake, Oatmeal, Squares

Urbnspice Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series

By Denise Pare-Watson

Do you love Chocolate?  Me, too!  So much so that I decided to write a book (or two) all about chocolate.  Did you know that UrbnSpice has a Cookbook Series of four cookbooks called, Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious, including one dedicated entirely to Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts?

Chocolate Desserts Cookbook series | urbnspice.com

UrbnSpice Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series

The books are all about Chocolate Desserts and have just about every dessert imaginable.  I have covered everything from cookies, to squares to elegant chocolate desserts.  There are Learning Tips included in my recipes, as well as variations of the recipes to create additional desserts under the headings, “What Else Can I Do With This Recipe?”  Here are the names of the Volumes:

Book One – Cakes

Book Two – Cookies, Brownies and Squares

Book Three – Pies and Tarts

Book Four – Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts

The series is called “Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious.”  I am quite proud of these books – it was a bucket list goal to write a cookbook after slowing down a bit from an amazing career as a pastry chef and chef.

Click here to find out more information.

Yours, in all things chocolate!

Denise Pare-Watson - The Urb'n'Spice Chef | urbnspice.com

Denise  Paré-Watson

The  Urbnspice  Chef

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter and check out what’s happening on Pinterest

Here are the links:

Email:        urbnspice@gmail.com

Website:        Urbnspice

Author Page:  Denise’s Author Page

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Urbnspice

Twitter:     https://twitter.com/urbnspice

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/urbnspice/

About me:  http://about.me/urbnspice/#

Facebook:  I Love Chocolate page

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms:  X 
License Type: Commercial
License Abstract: You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Brownies & Squares, Cakes and Cupcakes, Cheesecakes, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate!, Cookies, Desserts and Sweets, Gluten Free Recipes Tagged With: Baking, Books, Brownies, Cheesecakes, Chocolate, Chocolate Desserts, Cookies, Desserts, Gluten Free, Sweets

Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Pies and Tarts

By Denise Pare-Watson

Hello, everyone! Here is a little more information about Volume III of the series:  Pies and Tarts, “Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Pies and Tarts” 

To make it easy for you to find the book, click on the link or the book cover below and it will take you directly to my book on Amazon! 

CLICK HERE!  

UrbnSpice's Chocolate Desserts - Pies and Tarts

Inside this newest book, you will find recipes for pies, tarts, crusts of every type (including press-in and crumb crusts), fillings, garnishes, sauces and learning tips and so much more.

I would like to share with you one of my personal favourites from the book:  White Chocolate Lemon Curd Tart 

chocolate

White Chocolate Lemon Curd Tart

Black Bottom Pumpkin Tart

Caramel Pecan Chocolate Tart with Almond Cream Layer

Chocolate Honey Tart

Milk Chocolate Macaroon Tart

Roasted Strawberry Chocolate Linzer Tart

and many, many more!  Check it out!

 Check out Volume Two “Cookies, Brownies and Squares” and Volume One, “Cakes” by clicking on the book covers below:

chocolate

chocolate

And Last, but not least:  Chocolate Desserts, Gluten-Free Desserts

I would love to hear what you think about my cookbook series.  Writing a cookbook was definitely on my bucket list and I am so happy to have accomplished not one but four books (I had so much fun writing these books with encouragement from readers for more, more, more!).  There are easy to follow instructions and the recipes are triple tested.  Thanks for visiting this page.  I am thrilled that you did.

Denise Pare-Watson - The Urb'n'Spice Chef | urbnspice.com

Denise Pare-Watson

The UrbnSpice Chef

 

 

Follow me on Social Media:

Urbnspice Facebook Page – If you enjoy what you see on my blog, please LIKE my Facebook page.  Thank you so much!

Urbnspice is on Twitter    

You will find lots of fun boards on Pinterest  

I am also on Instagram

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms:  X 
License Type: Commercial
License Abstract: You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Brownies & Squares, Cakes and Cupcakes, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate!, Cookies, Desserts and Sweets Tagged With: Desserts, Easy

The Definitive Dessert Dilemma

By Denise Pare-Watson

I have a Dessert Dilemma. A question that is often presented to me as a pastry chef is:

“If you could choose only one dessert, what would it be?”

Have you given much thought to this? Depending on the situation, circumstances, and the environment at the time, I have a list of answers ready (actually, I have a few favourites!). My decision would have to be based on what I enjoy making as much as I enjoy eating (well, actually, I have a few of those favourites, too!)

Quadruple Chocolate Brownies | urbnspice.com

From the Cookbook Series: Gluten and Gluten-Free Quadruple Chocolate Brownies 

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms:  X 
License Type: Commercial
License Abstract: You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Brownies & Squares, Desserts and Sweets, Have you Ever wondered about Series? Tagged With: Chocolate Desserts, Desserts, Pastry Chef

Chocolate Cookies, Brownies and Squares – A New E-Book!

By Denise Pare-Watson

Announcing the Newest Volume in the Series,

“Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Chocolate Cookies, Brownies and Squares is here!

Cookies, Brownies & Squares Cookbook | urbnspice.com

Nothing says “home, family and friends” like Chocolate Cookies, Brownies and Squares.

I have been busy working with new and conventional recipes that we all remember as children and perfecting them to a point where they are simple and easy to utilize, whether at home or at work.

The feedback and comments that I have received from my first book, “Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Cakes”, has been extremely gratifying.   It has been a significant motivating factor with respect to writing this new book, “Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Cookies, Brownies and Squares”.

Quadruple Chocolate Brownies | urbnspice.com

From the Cookbook Series: Gluten and Gluten-Free Quadruple Chocolate Brownies 

Your feedback has demonstrated to me that home bakers truly appreciate a quality recipe that is simple to follow, tried, true, tested and tasted.  You also indicated from your feedback that you enjoyed the additional information (Learning Tips, Definitions & Explanations) that I provided in the book as to how to make your baking experience easier and more fulfilling.  After all, this book is all about making you a hero!

Once again, I have taken my favourite, most delicious and easiest to produce chocolate cookie, brownie and square recipes and have provided them for your enjoyment.  Take a look and tell me what you think!

From UrbnSpice’s Cookbook Series called, “Chocolate Desserts Made Easy & Delicious:

Chocolate Cookies, Brownies and Squares

 CLICK THE BOOK COVER BELOW!

Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious - Cookies, Brownies & Squares | urbnspice.com

Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Cookies, Brownies & Squares

There are ten different Brownie recipes in this book, including:

Ultimate Quadruple Chocolate Brownies

Quadruple Chocolate Brownies | urbnspice.com

From the Cookbook Series: Gluten and Gluten-Free Quadruple Chocolate Brownies 

There are Thirty Cookie Recipes in the book.

Here is one of them:

Chocolate and Oat Cookies with a Creamy Filling | urbnspice.com

Chocolate and Oat Cookies with a Creamy Filling

There are Ten Recipes for Squares and Bars in the book.

Here is one of them:

Buttertart Squares with Chocolate | urbnspice.com

Buttertart Squares with Chocolate 

There are also sections in this book covering recipes for:

Bases, Fillings and Glazes

Learning Tips

Definitions and Explanations

*****

“Never, ever refuse homemade brownies”

UrbnSpice

This book will be your go-to reference cookbook for Cookies, Brownies and Squares.  I am excited about this book.  I know you will be, too.

Happy Baking with Cookies, Brownies and Squares, everyone!

 

Denise Pare-Watson - The Urb'n'Spice Chef | urbnspice.com

 

Denise Pare-Watson

The UrbnSpice Chef

Here is further information on UrbnSpice’s Other Books:

Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious Series of Cookbooks

Here is one of Amazon’s Top Reviewers Had to say about this book:

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsChocolate! Need Any More Be Said?

ByGrandmaTOP 500 REVIEWERon March 16, 2012

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Those of you who follow my cookbook reviews know that it is a very hard thing to get a five-star review from me. Denise Paré-Watson hits every one of the marks with her latest, Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Cookies, Brownies & Squares. The book is very nicely formatted and features an interactive Table of Contents that interfaces with the Kindle Navigation menu correctly. It is patently obvious that Denise knows of what she writes as she shares her expertise with the reader in more than fifty recipes for various bites of chocolate heaven.

Denise presents recipes that range from Black & White Chocolate Chips to definitely drool-worthy Quadruple Chocolate Brownies (the picture alone of that one is enough to make me gain a pound!!) and not just one but two different recipes for Chocolate Wafers – the crisp thin kind you use for Chocolate Icebox Cake and the softer kind that you use for Ice Cream Sandwiches. Each and every recipe is accompanied by a thorough description, detailed directions and often suggestion for a number of variations, storage and so on. The book includes both standard and metric measurements as well as pictures of most items. This is, without a doubt, a chocolate cookie baking primer!

If you love chocolate, this book’s for you.

Highly recommended!

You can find me on social media (see links below) – just be sure to tag @urbnspice and #urbnspice so I am sure to see it. Enjoy! 

Denise Pare-Watson - The Urb'n'Spice Chef | urbnspice.comDenise Paré-Watson

The Urbnspice Chef

Follow me on Social Media

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms:  X 
License Type: Commercial
License Abstract: You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Brownies & Squares, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate!, Cookies, Desserts and Sweets Tagged With: Bases, Brownies, Chocolate, Chocolate Desserts, Cookies, Fillings, Glazes, Learning Tips, Squares

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Meet Denise – The Urbnspice Chef

Welcome to Urbnspice - A Taste of Heart and Home. Inspiration in my kitchen is often a trip to the market or an experimental coincidence! Come and join me on this culinary journey where I share my passion for the creative, technical and teaching components of the profession and unravel culinary quandaries for you with fun and easy to follow user-friendly recipes, tips & techniques.
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