Date Paste – A Healthy. Raw Sweetener

Date Paste is popular in the raw food world.  After making it a few times myself, I can see why!  I am not a fan of dates-maybe it is their shriveled up wrinkly appearance but when softened with water and blended in a food processor into a smooth paste, then I become a BIG fan!

Date paste is creamy and has an almost “caramel-y” like flavor that I fell for immediately. My favorite way to use date paste is on my oatmeal in place of brown sugar.  I have also used it to sweeten smoothies & chia oats. We have spread it on tortillas, added banana & chia, then rolled up as a healthy snack (post on that coming soon!)  My kids loved these, but FYI, make the date paste when they are not around.  My girls saw the dates soaking and were a bit skeptical to try it.  The second time I made it, I did it privately, and called it “sweetener.”  They ate it up.

So why go to the trouble to make date paste?  Well, first, it is not much trouble.

Second, I like that it is one more way to satisfy our sweet tooth while keeping blood sugar levels stable due to the fiber that dates contain. They are also good source of iron, vitamin A & potassium. They have their fair share of antioxidants and are not processed like most sweeteners are.

I have seen date paste used not just raw, but in all types of baking, like this Banana Date Paste Bread Pudding, which I want to try, it looks awesome!

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Date Paste

1 1b Medjool dates

1/2 cup reserved soaking water

Pit and cover dates with water.  Soak for 10 minutes.  Pour off water reserving 1/2 cup.  Process in food processor until desired consistency, adding more water if needed.  Place in a jar and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

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What about you?  Do you look for more healthful ways to satisfy your sweet tooth?