Dates in recipes (479 views)

Not sure if this counts, but it's tried and true - I have been putting dates in my oatmeal in the mornings. I finely dice two Medjool dates, combine with 2 cups of water, bring to a boil. Add 1 cup of Old Fashioned oats, cook (serves 2, a bowl for me, a bowl for DH) Add flavorings of choice; I typically add a whole banana and cinnamon. This morning was pumpkin and cinnamon. Using dates is my attempt to omit refined sugar in my breakfast. That being said, the pumpkin variation needed a little splash of maple syrup.

I'm looking forward to seeing what others post - would also love more recipes that use dates!

I am not a huge fan of dates in and of themselves. I find them way too sweet for my tastes without much complexity or balance if that makes sense. Like an apricot can be sweet but it is a bit tangy too. Anyway, I still use them but not as the dried fruit in a recipe. I use them at times to reduce the amount of sugar in a baked item by making a date puree or in a granola bar/Lara-like bar....pulverizing dates and nuts together to act as glue and sweetener. I have a muffin recipe that I make for breakfast that is sweetened with only dates and mashed banana. You can't tell that there is no sugar plus it adds moistness. Otherwise, there is always the class date bar with oatmeal crumble on top. My DH likes those.