Date Paste - Alternative Sweetener

I often use date paste in sweets, desserts, baking, smoothies, and on occasion eat it right off the spoon! Date paste is a great alternative to refined sugar, and its caramel taste and flavour is oh so good! 

Tomorrow I am planning to create a recipe for bean fudge, so I thought I'd prepare some date paste before hand. You could use mejool dates if you like, however I use regular pitted dates as they are a lot more cost effective.

There is no right or wrong way to make date paste, it is basically soaking, draining and whizzing!

Date Paste

Ingredients

Pitted dates 

Warm water for soaking 

Optional extras

Vanilla extract 

A pinch of salt 

Method

1. Place dates in a bowl or container. I used about 300grams which fills at 400gram jar or about 1.5 cups. 

2. Add in the warm water, making sure to fully the cover dates. Soak for a minimum of 1 hour or overnight, the longer you soak the better as they will be easier to whizz. 

Speedy method: boil dates in hot water for 1-2 minutes. You don't want too cook them, simply soften them. 

3. Drain the dates making sure to save the soaking water. Add the dates to a food processor using the S blade or heavy duty blender (it won't work in a normal blender unless you add load of liquid), you can add the vanilla and a pinch of sea salt at this point.

If you soaked your dates overnight, you probably won't need to add any soaking water, if you soaked only for an hour you may need to add in a tablespoon or two.

Whizz for about 3-4 minutes or until smooth, making sure to stop in between to scrape down the sides. Add soaking water if needed (make sure not to add too much liquid in order to keep its sweetness, I only ever use 2 tablespoons).

4. Transfer the date paste into a clean jar or container and store in the fridge for up to 3 months.


Enjoy!


Kim x