Date Paste (An Easy and Delicious Natural Sweetener)

This date paste recipe is a must-try if you prefer natural sweeteners that are packed with nutrients. All you need to make this nutritious refined sugar-free sweetener is dates, a blender or food processor, and boiling water.

Dates are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They’re a great source of nutrient-dense energy. Dates have a slightly caramel-like taste, yet they’re neutral enough that they don’t overpower the other flavors in most recipes.

Making date paste is so easy. It works well as a white sugar substitute in all sorts of baked goods such as cakes, muffins, and cookies. But it’s important to remember that it’s generally not a one to one swap for regular sugar in most recipes, since it has a different consistency and moisture content. I recommend sticking with recipes that were specifically developed using date paste (like this mouthwatering chocolate date cake with no sugar added), otherwise prepare yourself for a bit of experimenting until you get the ratios just right.

Date paste in a glass dish.

How to Make Date Paste

This nutritious refined sugar-free natural sweetener is so easy to make! Start by measuring 1 cup of tightly packed, pitted dates.

Dates in a measuring cup.

Next you’ll transfer the dates to a bowl along with 1/2 cup of boiling water. Let the dates soak in the water, covered, for at least 20 minutes.

Dates soaking in a bowl of water.

Add the dates and soaking liquid to a blender or food processor, then blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender or food processor as needed. If your dates are particularly dry and don’t blend easily, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to achieve a smooth consistency. That’s all there is to it. So give this simple natural sweetener a try and let me know how it turned out in the comments!

A glass bowl filled with pureed dates.
Date paste in a glass dish.
4.41 from 40 votes
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Date Paste Recipe

This date paste recipe is perfect for sweetening desserts, muffins, and other treats. It's a nutritious refined sugar-free sweetener with a delicious, caramel-like flavor. All you need to make it is dates, boiling water, and a blender or food processor.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Soaking Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 26kcal

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor

Ingredients

  • 1 cup tightly packed pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup boiling water

Instructions

  • Add the pitted dates and boiling water to a bowl.
  • Let the dates soak in the water, covered, for at least 20 minutes.
  • Add the soaked dates along with the soaking liquid to a blender or food processor.
  • Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender or food processor as needed.
  • If your dates are particularly dry and don't blend easily, add an extra tablespoon or two of water in order to achieve a smooth consistency.

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Tablespoon | Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
Pureed dates in a bowl against a white background.

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