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    You Are Here Home » Sweets Recipes

    Published: Dec 22, 2019 Updated: Apr 1, 2022 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links Leave a Comment

    3-Ingredient Cardamom Date Paste

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    date paste pin

    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, labeled

    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.

    dates being weighed on a scale

    Step 2

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

    dates in a pot

    Step 3

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

    dates with cardamom
    mashed dates

    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.

    cooking paste in a pan

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

    cardamom sprinkled on date paste
    kileche or Kleicha cookies in a platter

    Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips

    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.

    two dates next to each other

    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

    • 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.
    paste in a yellow bowl

    Related Recipes

    • Two Ingredient Tahini Paste
    • Easy Date Syrup/Date Molasses Recipe
    • Easy Clotted Cream Recipe (Gemar)
    • Kileche | Kleicha (Assyrian Holiday Cookies)

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    date paste in a yellow bowl with dates around it.

    3-Ingredient Cardamom Date Paste

    Sweet and nutritious Date Paste has many uses these days, especially in baking and as a sugar substitute in recipes.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiments, Snack, sweets
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 1 oz
    Calories: 97kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Equipment

    • food processor

    Ingredients

    • 13 ounces dates
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 teaspoon cardamom (or cinnamon)
    • 2 teaspoon vegetable oil

    Instructions

    • Remove the pits from the dates and weigh dates to get approximately 13 ounces. Optional, chop the dates for easier processing.
    • Place dates in a small saucepan, cover with ¼ cup water, and soak for a few minutes, especially if using stale dates.
    • Sprinkle the dates with cardamom powder and simmer over low heat for approximately 5 minutes or until the dates are tender.
    • 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! 😬

    Notes

    • 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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ounce | Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g
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