Date paste is an all-natural sweetener made with only 2 ingredients in a blender that makes a healthy substitute for white sugar and other refined sugars in baked goods, desserts and more.
Date paste is healthier than sugar and made of fruit. Use it to sweeten baked goods, desserts, smoothies and even ice cream.
What is Date Paste?
Date paste is whole dates, pitted, and blended with water. Dates are full of nutrients and fiber that sugar does not have. Dates also have a lower glycemic index so should not spike blood sugar. The flavor of date paste makes this chocolate smoothie or even my no bake chocolate brownies taste incredible.
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Ingredients
Fresh Dates. Use Medjool dates found in packages in the produce section. Or use deglet dates, however they are smaller so you'll need to use more.
Water. The only other ingredient you need to make date paste is water.
Lemon juice. Add this bottled or fresh citrus juice to brighten the flavor and balance the sweet flavor.
See the recipe card at the bottom for full information on ingredients and quantities.
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Steps to Make Date Paste
For more detail, visit the complete recipe at the bottom of this post, but here are general steps.
Step 1. Soak dates in 3 cups of just-boiled water for 10 minutes. I boiled the water, then pop the dates into the pot and turn off the stove.
Step 2. How to pit dates. Once soaked, use your fingers to pry open each date and pull out the pit and discard. Remove the stem if there is one.
Step 3. Blend dates. Add pitted dates to a high-speed blender, regular blender or a food processor. Do not use an immersion blender.
Step 4. Add ½ cup water and lemon juice to the dates in the blender, and lemon juice. Blend 1-2 minutes until creamy; scrap down the sides of the blender.
Storage
Store the date paste in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, then it can begin to dry out. Freeze it for up to three months, and in ice cube trays so you can thaw only what you need. The high sugar content will not let it freeze solid.
FAQS
Date syrup has the consistency of maple syrup, and is basically date paste without date pulp.
Date paste is used in baked goods, desserts, drinks, pastries, cereals, even ice cream.
You can use it in place of brown sugar, but you might need to reduce some of the recipe's liquid requirements.
Yes, dates are a fruit so date paste is a natural sweetener that is healthier than white refined sugar. You can use date paste instead of sugar at a 1:1 ratio.
Yes, dates are allowed on the Whole30 diet, as well as those who eat vegan, gluten free or paleo.
Recipes With Date Paste
If you tried this date paste or date caramel recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Date Paste
Equipment
- measuring cup
- blender or food processor
- storage containers
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates (8 ounces or 12 dates)
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
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Instructions
Prep dates
- Prep dates by adding them to 3 cups of just boiled water for about 10 minutes.1 cup Medjool dates (8 ounces or 12 dates)
- Rinse dates after soaking and pit them (unless you bought pre-pitted dates). Be sure to also remove the stem if there is one.
- Add pitted dates to a high speed blender or a food processor. A blender will probably make a creamier date paste.
Blend dates
- Add lemon juice and water and blend until creamy, about 1-2 minutes depending on the speed of your machine. Hold back half the water at first and see how little you can add and still get the date paste to blend. The less water added, the thicker your paste.1 cup Medjool dates (8 ounces or 12 dates), ½ cup water, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Angelica says
Hello, I'm looking for the best recipe for date paste and I came across yours. I have a question about the lemon juice. There are recipes with and without it; what is the purpose if it's included? Thank you
Dee Dine says
I include lemon juice to reduce the ultra-sweet flavor of dates and allow for a fresher overall flavor.