All recipes

Easy New Zealand Squares

Dessert 🍰 Australian and New Zealander 🇦🇺🇳🇿 Low-SodiumVegetarian 🥦Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️

Easy New Zealand Squares are chewy, date-sweetened bar cookies with toasty coconut and a hint of golden syrup for caramel warmth. They press together quickly and bake into tender slices with lightly crisp edges—perfect for afternoon tea, bake sales, or a simple dessert to share.

  • Prep20 mins
  • Cook30 mins
  • Serves9
  • DifficultyEasy
Easy New Zealand Squares
  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, mix together the flour, 1 cup coconut, dates, sugar, and baking powder. In a saucepan, melt the butter with the golden syrup and vanilla. Pour the melted mixture over the bowl ingredients. Stir until crumbly, then press the mixture into the prepared pan.

  3. 3

    Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle 1/8 cup coconut over the top.