The Sweet Truth
This date paste is the perfect replacement for sugar. Make it when you need a sweet touch to your recipes.
What if I told you that you could beautifully sweeten your food with something that is low on the glycemic index, and is loaded with iron, potassium, magnesium, copper and B vitamins? In addition, it is an excellent source of calcium and fiber! You’d probably want to put it in everything. Well now you can!
“Hello, I’m Date Paste, but you can call me sugar.” Well then sugar, you’ve never looked so good! Good for you that is!
What is Date Paste?
Date paste is a natural sweetener made by soaking dates in hot water and then blending them up to create a smooth sweet paste. It can be used to replace sugar in a 1:1 ratio. As mentioned above, it is, unlike refined sugar, full of fiber and nutrients. People who need to keep an eye on their blood sugar would need to consult their physician and potentially moderate their intake, but for these same people, date paste could offer a healthy alternative for sugar. For me, this is my go to healthy swap for refined sugar.
Dates are usually somewhat dried but not entirely, which is why they have a sticky consistency. Medjool dates are my favorites to use because their concentrated natural sugar content gives them a caramel type flavor. In fact, I often make caramel sauce out of Medjool dates!
I buy a large pack of These Medjool Dates at my local Costco. But you can find them just about anywhere. You can even use other varieties of dates, I have just found Medjool to be the softest and creamiest for this purpose.
What Are Some Ways To Use?
I often use date paste in my desserts because they offer a delicious sweetness in a 1:1 ratio swap with refined sugar. They do not have an odd flavor when replacing with sugar incase you were wondering. They are simply deliciously sweet.
I love using date paste in my Fudgy Sweet Potato Brownies:
I also will sometimes use it in smoothies such as my Berry Kale Smoothie:
I have also used it in pie crusts, cakes, muffins or anything else that I want a sweet touch to without the refined sugar. Don’t be afraid to try this! And don’t just look at food, make it!
How To Store Date Paste
My date paste typically doesn’t last long enough to freeze, but you can place in an air tight container and freeze for up to 3-4 months.
Better yet, date paste will last for weeks in the refrigerator! I like to make a double batch and place mine in a sealed jar that I keep in my refrigerator and just use it when I need it. It’s that easy!
Date Paste
Equipment
- 1 high speed blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups about 18 pitted Medjool dates
- 1 cup hot water
Instructions
- Pit your dates.
- Place dates in a medium bowl and pour about 1 cup of HOT water over them. Let sit about 30 minutes to soften.
- Remove dates but reserve water. Blend dates with a little of the reserved water in a high speed blender for 3-5 minutes, or until smooth. Add more reserved water a little at a time if paste is too thick. I like an applesauce type consistency.
Notes
Nutrition
