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Ever since I was little, date paste has been a staple in our kitchen, especially for making traditional Lebanese treats like maamoul. It’s not just a sweetener; it’s a piece of home. Learning how to make your own date paste at home is super easy, and the process is straightforward: soak the dates and blend them up. There you have it—a rich, natural date paste that’s perfect for baking and beyond.
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Growing up, watching my family turn simple dates into this versatile paste always made me excited for what was to come. Now, when I make this date paste it myself, there’s a sense of connection to those roots. Whether I’m spreading it on toast or folding it into pastry dough, it’s more than just a recipe ingredient; it’s a link to my Lebanese heritage and the flavors I grew up with. Keeping a jar in the fridge means I’m always ready to make something sweet and meaningful when a craving hits.
Why Learn How to Make Date Paste
- Budget-friendly. Homemade date paste is much more cost-efficient than storebought. Dates are relatively affordable, especially when purchased in bulk, and you can make a large batch of date paste that you can refrigerate and use over time.
- Healthier sweetener. Medjool date paste offers a natural, unrefined sweetener option that is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s a better-for-you alternative to refined sugar.
- Wide range of uses. Date paste can be used in various dishes and recipes, from baking to cooking to tasty drinks. It can be used as a sugar replacement in recipes or as a topping for oatmeal or yogurt.
Ingredients to Make Date Paste
- Dates: Dates are a naturally sweet fruit that adds a caramel-like flavor to the paste. My favorite dates to use in date paste are Medjool because they are soft and moist, making them easier to blend and resulting in a smoother paste. You can buy pitted dates or take a few minutes to pit them.
- Water: Warm water is used to soak the dates, softening them to help with the consistency.
How to Make Date Paste
- Place the pitted dates in a bowl and add enough warm water to cover them completely.
- Soak the dates until softened.
- Drain the water from the dates. Transfer the dates to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until you reach a smooth and creamy consistency like peanut butter.
Tips for Making the Best Date Paste in the Blender
- Don’t skip soaking the dates. For easy blending and smooth texture, make sure you soak the dates in warm water for a few hours.
- Drain well but reserve the water. Drain the dates thoroughly to prevent the date paste from becoming too watery. But reserve the soaking water in case you need to adjust the consistency later.
- Scrape down the sides. Stop the blender or food processor occasionally to scrape down the sides to make sure you get a smooth texture throughout the mixture.
- Adjust the consistency. If the date mixture is too thick, increase the water by a tablespoon at a time until you get the desired consistency.
Recipes to Make with Medjool Date Paste
- Date-filled Maamoul Cookies
- Caramel Apple Granola Bars
- Chewy Date Cookies
- Pecan Date Bars
- Date Brownies
How to Store Date Paste
Transfer the date paste to a clean, airtight container, pressing down on the paste to remove any air pockets. Store date paste in the refrigerator.
How Long Will Date Paste Last in the Fridge?
When properly stored, date paste will last in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.
Can I Freeze Date Paste?
Yes! Transfer date paste into a freezer-safe container, allowing enough room for expansion, and freeze for up to 6 months. You can also freeze in smaller portions like ice cube trays and use as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, theoretically, make date paste without soaking the dates first. However, I don’t recommend that, as the paste will not be as smooth. During the soaking, the dates absorb the water, causing them to expand. This moisture will help create a smooth, velvety date paste.
Fresh dates will be plump, glossy, and not overly dry. If they are dry, however, that is all the more reason to give them a good soak. Avoid dates with sugar crystals on the surface, as this can indicate they are not fresh.
Medjool dates are often the gold standard for date paste because they are softer and easier to blend. However, you can certainly use other types of dates like Deglet Noor.
Now that you know how to make date paste in blender in 2 simple steps, you can quickly make this nutritious and delicious sweetener at home whenever you need it. With just dates and water, you have a natural alternative to processed sugar that can be used in a variety of recipes – from baked goods to sauces, to drinks, and much more!
More Cooking Tutorials:
- How to Make Simple Syrup
- How to Make Balsamic Glaze
- How to Make Cashew Cream
- How to Make Cashew Milk
- How to Make Oat Milk
- How to Make Almond Milk
- How to Make Almond Butter
- How to Make Vinaigrette
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How to Make Date Paste
Ingredients
- 1 cup medjool pitted dates
- Warm water for soaking
Instructions
- Place the pitted dates in a bowl and add enough warm water to cover them. Soak for 1 to 2 hours.
- Drain the water from the dates. Place the drained dates in a blender or food processor and blend until you reach a smooth and creamy consistency like peanut butter. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a tablespoon of water at a time. Stop the blender or food processor occasionally to scrape down the sides.
- Transfer the date paste to a clean, airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Hi, what can date paste be used for? Thanks. Ellen
My favorite way to use it is in these cookies.
This looks delicious & so easy to make. Thank you!
I love that you have a video and link to all the tools needed to complete the recipe.
Thank you!
So glad it was helpful!