21 Reasons You Should Be Cooking With Dates

Julie R. Thomson
Updated

There isn't a whole lot of appeal to dates. They're sticky, cloyingly sweet and somehow always shows up at Christmas functions (even though they weren't invited). We know why the date has such a bad rap, but we have to admit that it's not wholly deserved. Dates have many great qualities as an ingredient in the kitchen and it's time the world knew about them.

Dates are wonderful stuffed and wrapped with bacon (obviously). They make a lovely pairing with a hearty lamb dish. And, more importantly, they're a great alternative to sugar in dessert recipes. Grounded into a paste, they can easily be added to cakes, brownies and even ice cream. You won't miss the cane sugar for a second in these wonderfully sweet, almost healthy recipes.

Sea Salt Date Caramel Coconut Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://minimalistbaker.com/sea-salt-caramel-coconut-ice-cream/" target="_blank">Sea Salt Date Caramel Coconut Ice Cream recipe</a> from Minimalist Baker</strong>
Get the Sea Salt Date Caramel Coconut Ice Cream recipe from Minimalist Baker

Roasted Cashew-Almond Yogurt Bowl With Stove-Top Matcha Green Tea Date Granola

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-cashew-almond-yogurt-bowl-with-stove-top-matcha-green-tea-granola/" target="_blank">Roasted Cashew-Almond Yogurt Bowl with Stove-Top Matcha Green Tea Date Granola recipe</a> from Half Baked Harvest</strong>

Date Newtons

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.flourishingfoodie.com/2013/05/date-newtons.html" target="_blank">Date Newtons recipe</a> from Flourishing Foodie</strong>
Get the Date Newtons recipe from Flourishing Foodie

Date Sweetened Horchata

<strong>Get the <a href="http://minimalistbaker.com/date-sweetened-horchata/" target="_blank">Date Sweetened Horchata recipe</a> from Minimalist Baker</strong>
Get the Date Sweetened Horchata recipe from Minimalist Baker

Heavenly Apple Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/779-heavenly-apple-cake" target="_blank">Heavenly Apple Cake recipe</a> from Veronica via Food52</strong>
Get the Heavenly Apple Cake recipe from Veronica via Food52

Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

<strong>Get the <a href="http://thehealthyfoodie.com/bacon-wrapped-stuffed-dates/" target="_blank">Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates recipe</a> from The Healthy Foodie</strong>
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates recipe from The Healthy Foodie

Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites

<strong>Get the <a href="http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/02/11/chocolate-truffle-energy-bites/" target="_blank">Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites recipe</a> from Sally's Baking Addiction</strong>
Get the Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction

No Churn Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream

<strong>Get the<a href="http://minimalistbaker.com/no-churn-vegan-chocolate-ice-cream/#_a5y_p=2408296" target="_blank"> No Churn Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream recipe</a> from Minimalist Baker</strong>
Get the No Churn Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream recipe from Minimalist Baker

Apple Pie Date Bars

<strong>Get the <a href="http://minimalistbaker.com/apple-pie-date-bars-free-detox-guide-ebook/" target="_blank">Apple Pie Date Bars recipe</a> from Minimalist Baker</strong>
Get the Apple Pie Date Bars recipe from Minimalist Baker

Muesli With Lemon And Dates

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/32780-muesli-with-lemon-and-dates" target="_blank">Muesli with Lemon and Dates recipe</a> from fiveandspice via Food52</strong>
Get the Muesli with Lemon and Dates recipe from fiveandspice via Food52

Date Paste

<strong>Get the <a href="http://thehealthyfoodie.com/date-paste/" target="_blank">Date Paste recipe</a> from The Healthy Foodie</strong>
Get the Date Paste recipe from The Healthy Foodie

Fudge Brownies

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.texanerin.com/2013/10/grain-free-fudge-brownies.html" target="_blank">Fudge Brownies recipe</a> from Texanerin Baking</strong>
Get the Fudge Brownies recipe from Texanerin Baking

Coconut Rhubarb Amaranth Porridge

<strong>Get the <a href="http://naturallyella.com/2012/06/01/coconut-rhubarb-amaranth-porridge/" target="_blank">Coconut Rhubarb Amaranth Porridge recipe</a> from Naturally Ella</strong>
Get the Coconut Rhubarb Amaranth Porridge recipe from Naturally Ella

Coffee-Infused Braised Lamb Shanks And Beans

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/11316-coffee-infused-braised-lamb-shanks-and-beans" target="_blank">Coffee-Infused Braised Lamb Shanks and Beans recipe</a> from Fairmount_market via Food52</strong>

Five Ingredient Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Truffles

<strong>Get the <a href="http://minimalistbaker.com/5-ingredient-salted-caramel-peanut-butter-truffles/#_a5y_p=2175672" target="_blank">Five Ingredient Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Truffles recipe</a> from Minimalist Baker</strong>

Date Cinnamon Rolls

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.macheesmo.com/2012/07/date-cinnamon-rolls/" target="_blank">Date Cinnamon Rolls recipe</a> from Macheesmo</strong>
Get the Date Cinnamon Rolls recipe from Macheesmo

Date And Almond Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://mimithorisson.com/2013/02/23/date-almond-cake/" target="_blank">Date and Almond Cake recipe</a> from Manger</strong>
Get the Date and Almond Cake recipe from Manger

Oatmeal Muffins With Raisins, Dates And Walnuts

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/oatmeal_muffins_with_raisins_dates_and_walnuts/" target="_blank">Oatmeal Muffins with Raisins, Dates and Walnuts recipe</a> from Simply Recipes</strong>

Ricotta Date Waffles

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.macheesmo.com/2012/12/ricotta-date-waffles/" target="_blank">Ricotta Date Waffles recipe</a> from Macheesmo</strong>
Get the Ricotta Date Waffles recipe from Macheesmo

Sticky Toffee Pudding

<strong>Get the <a href="http://passthesushi.com/sticky-toffee-pudding/" target="_blank">Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe</a> from Pass the Sushi</strong>
Get the Sticky Toffee Pudding recipe from Pass the Sushi

Yogurt With Toasted Quinoa, Dates And Almonds

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/16485-yogurt-with-toasted-quinoa-dates-and-almonds" target="_blank">Yogurt with Toasted Quinoa, Dates, and Almonds recipe</a> from Amanda Hesser via Food52</strong>

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