Easy Date Paste Recipe

And easy date paste recipe using only 4 simple ingredients to make this all natural sweetener! Plus a bonus option for all your baking needs.

Date paste can be used in so many ways. From putting into desserts as a healthier sweetener option, to eating it on it's own as a dip. It's amazing!

This post was originally published on 2/1/2014

Sugar has been painted out to be the devil, but it's important to know the right information about sugar because you make any rash decisions.

Ingredients

After some waffling on my part, I decided that sugar is not the devil it's positioned to be. While it shouldn't be your main source of nutrition, it's still ok to eat. But sometimes I still want a more natural way to sweeten things.

I make date paste in two main ways, for recipes and to eat on it's own. If you're going to be adding the date paste to a recipe, all you need are dates and water.

However, if you're enjoying it raw, like as a spread, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Pitted Medjool dates 
• Dairy free milk 
• Sea salt
• Vanilla extract

How to Make Date Paste

Making date paste is really the only way to do it, do they even sell it? If they do, I can guarantee that it's price marked disgustingly high because they can. All you need to do is:

1. Pit your dates if they're not already seedless. 
2. Dump everything into a blender or food processor and blend on high until smooth.

If you don't have a blender or food processor, you can use a fork in a pinch.

1. Soak the pitted dates in hot water overnight.
2. Then add the soaked dates with the other ingredients into a bowl and use a fork to mash and mix.
3. Continue to do this until you get a smoothish consistency. It won't be as creamy and smooth as pureed dates from a blender, but you will eventually get some date paste you can use.

How to Pit Dates

If for some reason you cannot find pitted dates, it's easy enough to remove the pit yourself.

1. If the dates are dried make sure to soak them first until they are softened.
2. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice one side of the date open from top to bottom.
3. Pry the cut open and use the knife or your fingers to pull out the pit.

Preparation Tips

Here are some helpful suggestions when making your own homemade date paste:

• Medjool dates are best as they are soft, sweet, and easy to find. Another good soft and sweet variety are the Barhi dates.
  • If you use something other than Medjool in this recipe you may make a different amount of date paste depending on the size of the dates. It may also turn out less sweet depending on the kind you use.
• Make it easy on yourself by using dates that have already been pitted.
• If you are not using a high speed blender (and using a food processor or regular blender) then you may want to soak your dates in hot water for about 30 minutes to soften them before you make it.
• I use water in the paste I make for recipes, but milk to create a date spread that I use raw. I like the creaminess the milk adds when I eat it raw but prefer the water for my recipes as it is more neutral.

How Long Does Date Paste Last?

Date paste will last safely up to 3 months in the refrigerator, however after 1 month it may start to dry out.

Keep the paste sealed in an airtight container in the fridge to use as needed.

You can also freeze date paste for up to 1 year! Simply put it in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag. If you know you'll only be using a little at a time, freeze smaller portions in an ice cube tray before transferring it to the container.

Date Paste Uses

Use this natural sweetener all day long!

• Stir it into coffee or tea instead of sugar.
• Blend it into your favorite smoothies.
• Spread it over toast, bagels, or crackers.
• Mix in into overnight oats or oatmeal.
• Make a parfait with yogurt, fruit, and granola.
• Add a touch of sweetness to your favorite salad dressings.
• Enhance savory dishes like pasta sauces, stews, or chili.

Recipes with Date Paste

A better option, is to just make a recipe that uses date paste intentionally. I have some recipes already that use date paste (or have a date paste option) or just dates. Give them a try and let me know what you think!

• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Oatmeal Raisin Pecan Cookies
• Chunky Monkey Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Raisin Macadamia Nut Oat Cookies
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls
• Date Sweetened Brownies
• Apple Cinnamon Scuffins
• Yogurt Date Dip
• Dark Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
• Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Pretzel Frosting
• Pumpkin Molasses Cupcakes
• Frothy Hot Chocolate with Pistachio Milk
• Raw Superfood Balls
• Raw Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake Cups
• Peanut Butter Cup Parfait
• Sriracha Tahini Fudge

How Do You Substitute Date Paste for Sugar in Baking?

There is a lot of info out there on this, but my humble opinion is that it really depends on the recipe. Baking is a science and when you alter one thing, you often have to play with others.

Date paste acts as both a sweetener and a thickener, so your baked goods can come out super dry if you don't add more liquid. Also, the texture will change, especially when using it for dry sugar. Expect your baked goods to be softer.

So if you are good at experimenting, I'd start with a 1:1 ratio when subbing for a dry sugar. Make half a batch and adjust as needed. If you're substituting for a wet sweetener like maple syrup or honey, you will probably need more date paste or an addition of water because the date paste is a thickener as well and will produce a drier result.

Natural Sweeteners

Ultimately, there are only two natural sweeteners: lactose (milk) and fructose (fruits, like these dates!). So when we talk about natural sugars, date paste can be called a natural sweetener without the truth being stretched. Everything else is an added sugar.

But added sugars don't have to be evil. A very broad way to look at how sugars affect us, is using the glycemic index (GI) value is the best bet. The lower the value, the less your blood sugar spikes, which is the goal.

Keep in mind that it's not as simple as this because other foods can affect the way sugar is metabolized in your body. But this is a general way to look at different types of sugar.

Everyone has an opinion (we are online aren't we?) but here is my personal list of fave sugars starting with the ones I use most:

1. Date paste- this recipe, duh. Dates are a fruit and legit pure nature. It has a GI index of 38-46 depending on the variety.
2. Maple syrup- this comes from the maple tree and goes through a small process before getting to your kitchen, but overall it's amazing. Probably in my top few sweeteners I use on a daily basis. It's GI index is 54.
3. Honey- yeah I know, not vegan. But as you may have read in my about me page, we eat plant based for health reasons and have no problem with honey. I like the flavor of maple better, so I don't use honey as often, but it does have a spot in my pantry for its healthy nature. GI index is 58.
4. Coconut sugar- this browner colored sugar has some of it's nutrients still in it. While sugars are not a nutrient dense food, you will get trace amounts here. When I need a dry sugar with a more brown sugar like flavor this is my go to. You can actually mix this with a bit of molasses and get a brown sugar texture too! Brandi from The Vegan 8 shows you how. The GI index is 54.
5. Cane sugar- This is basically sugar with very trace amounts of it's nutrients left. You'll notice that it's tan in color and not as dark as coconut sugar. I also love the look of this one so this is what I use when I need something sprinkled on top. The GI index of this one is 65.

Common Questions

More Vegan Alternatives

Having healthier substitutes is great, especially when they're plant based! Not to mention, when you make homemade recipes, you know exactly what you're eating!

• Coconut Butter
• Vegan Buffalo Sauce
• Healthy BBQ Sauce
• Vegan Sour Cream
• Homemade Vegan Mayo