3-Ingredient Cardamom Date Paste

Name: 3-Ingredient Cardamom Date Paste
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 13 ounces dates; ¼ cup water; 1 tsp cardamom ((or cinnamon)); 2 tsp vegetable oil

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This sweet and nutritious 3-Ingredient Date Paste recipe has many uses, especially in baking and as a sugar or honey substitute. Date paste is sweet, nutty, and creamy. I mainly use it in my Kileche (Assyrian holiday cookies) recipe but it has a million other uses!

date paste in a yellow bowl with a spoon in the middle and dates around it

About This Recipe

I usually purchase date paste twice a year, which is how often I make Kileche. Traditionally, we make these cookies for Christmas and Easter.

Kileche are prepared with a few different fillings: Walnut, coconut, and dates. I usually have walnuts and coconut at home but not so with date paste. Luckily, I always have dates in the pantry or freezer.

As the saying goes: "necessity breeds invention." This recipe was a life-saver for me and I'm hoping it helps you out of a baking jam too!

Why This Recipe Works

Date Paste is easy to prepare and only requires a couple of ingredients.
The paste can be blended using a high-speed blender to get a super-smooth texture.
It can also be left with a slightly chunkier texture. It just depends on how you will be using the Date Paste or in what recipe.

What Goes Into This Recipe

Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

Dates — My favorite dates to make date paste are Medjool dates. They are large, meaty, and soft. However, you can also use them if they're stale. Soaking in water for a few minutes will do the trick!
Cardamom — If you don't have cardamom on hand, you can easily substitute cinnamon instead.
Oil — Although I use plain vegetable oil, coconut oil would be another great option!
Vanilla Extract (optional) — Vanilla extract also works well in this date paste recipe. Add ½ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon at the same time that you add water.

How to Make Date Paste From Scratch

STEP 1: Remove the pits from the dates and weigh dates to get approximately 13 ounces. Optional, chop the dates for easier processing.

STEP: Place dates in a small saucepan, cover with ¼ cup of water, and soak for a few minutes, especially if using stale dates.

STEP 3: Sprinkle the dates with cardamom powder and simmer over low heat for approximately 5 minutes or until the dates are tender.

STEP 4: Pour the date mixture into a food processor and blend until the desired consistency is reached or mash with a spatula for a chunkier consistency.

fruit paste in a blended in a food processor — The dates don't have to be super-smooth for using in Kileche, but if you want a smoother texture, give it a few extra whirls.

STEP 5: Add oil to a pan and toast date paste until the dates take on a darker color. This should take approximately 5 minutes.

Taste the paste to adjust the flavor if necessary. You might want to add more cardamom; I always do! 😬

Recipe FAQs

How long can you keep date paste?

Date paste can last for months when stored in the refrigerator. Simply store in an airtight container and refrigerate until needed.

Can you freeze date paste?

Yes, freezing this paste is a great way to store it until you're ready to use it. Simply store it in a Ziploc bag and allow it to come to room temperature before using it.

What dates are best for making date paste?

If I had to choose between Medjool dates and Deglet Noor dates, I would choose Medjool dates every time.

Medjool dates are larger and juicier than Deglet Noor dates, which also makes them the best option for making Stuffed Dates and Date Syrup or Molasses.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, check out the visual difference between the two. Medjool Dates on the left, and Deglet Noor on the right.

Are dates good for you?

Dates are not only sweet and delicious, but they are also full of nutrition! They are loaded with magnesium, copper, potassium, calcium, other minerals, and vitamins. According to healthline.com, dates have the following additional health benefits:

• high in fiber
• high in antioxidants
• promote brain health
• their caramel-like taste makes them an excellent, natural sweetener
• surprisingly, dates are also low on the glycemic index

Pro Tips

Toasting the dates in the last step of the recipe is necessary to bring out the flavor of the dates and to get rid of the extra moisture in the dates.
Use date paste to make tasty date energy balls or use it as a spread to make peanut butter and date sandwiches.
Date paste can be used as a natural sweetener in the place of refined sugar to sweeten protein shakes, smoothies, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, muffins, and more!
A pinch of sea salt may also be added while simmering the dates.
Dates can also be used in various baked goods including date brownies, they're also a great substitute for maple syrup!
For a quick, healthy snack, swirl some date paste into plain or homemade yogurt.

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