What can I replace dates with in a recipe?

Enter my friend, the raisin . A couple of years ago, I began to use raisins instead of dates in my smoothies, grain-free Morning Glory Muffins, overnight oats, and preserves. They are sweet, delicious, and a lot cheaper than dates. It is true that dates have many health benefits but so do grapes!

What is the alternative to Medjool dates?

Unlike the inferior Medjool variety of dates, the Deglet Noor contains less sugar while remaining sweet and delicious. Because of their lower sugar content and sweet flavor, they are the preferred variety for sugar alternatives. Just another reason to love the Deglet Noor!

What fruit is most similar to dates?

Figs and dates are both sweet fruits with similar nutrition profiles, but figs are higher in calcium and dates are lower in fat and sweeter. They also have different textures — figs are crunchy and dates are sticky. Figs and dates may seem quite similar, as they're both easy to snack on and often eaten dried.

Can you grind dates in a blender?

Blend the Dates Add the dates and reserved 1/4 cup soaking water to a blender or food processor and mix until smooth. I like to add a little pinch of sea salt too but it's optional. You can make date paste in a food processor or blender or by using an immersion blender .

Can dates be grinded into powder?

2- Remove the seeds and divide the dates into two halves. 3- Put the dates in the oven for 3 hours, so that they are slightly hardened and the process of grinding them will be easy. 4- Leave them for a whole night in the oven after turning it off. 5- On the following day, grind them to powder, and store in glass.

Can you grind dates in a food processor?

The best method for grinding dates is to use a food processor or a high-speed blender . These appliances can easily break down the dates into a fine or coarse texture, depending on your preference.

What can I use instead of dates in sauce?

Raisin sauce is what your life's been missing. Dates are the go-to option in a lot of health food recipes because they provide a delicious, natural way to sweeten dishes. But dates are not the only way. The humble raisin can do the same job, and it's often a cheaper choice, too.

What do dates taste similar to?

If you're a newcomer to dates and don't know what to expect, think of the taste of a raisin, except sweeter, jammier, more caramel-like.

What does dates do in baking?

Dates can be used as a sweetener in baking either added in whole, as a syrup, or made into date sugar, which can be bought at markets or made at home. They can be chopped and added to cookies, breads, and other baked goods to add a touch of sweetness and texture .

What is the substitution of dates for sugar?

For example, in a recipe with 100g of sugar, substitute 150g of dates . Making the dry fruit into a paste seems like a good way to get the sweetness evenly distributed through your batter. I suggest re-hydrating in hot water. Then puree the re-hydrated fruit, and incorporate it into the wet ingredients.

Easy Date Slice Recipe - Melt & Mix · Chef Not Required... (2024)

Published: Jul 9, 2017 · Modified: Nov 23, 2021 by Lee-Ann · 54 Comments

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Just as the title suggeststhis is a really simple Easy Date Slice recipe. I'm a big fan of sticky date pudding, so I decided to make bars (or as we call it here in Australia "a slice") with the same flavours. They are super moist with a slightly dense but crumbly texture.

If you like dates, you'll LOVE these. The first batch went down a treatwith the taste testers (my parents).

I shouldn't be surprised that this was a recipe mum and dad enjoyed - especially my mum who loves sticky date pudding...there was the infamous incident of my now husband sharing aslice of sticky date pudding(1 dessert 2 spoons style) with his prospective mother-in-law one evening when the four of us were out to dinner.

He thought he was doing the right thing when the idea was floated - maybe she wants dessert but doesn't want to eat it all? She would feel guilty leaving some on the plate? I assume that's what went through his chivalrous mind - he's like that, a total gentleman.

To this dayPeter stilllaughs about how little of that sticky date puddinghe actuallygot to eat, and refuses to share a dessert now with anyone at all - me included! I think it's a case of once bitten...

Please enjoy my version of sticky date in moist, crumbly, tender slice.

Easy Date Slice Recipe - Melt & Mix · Chef Not Required... (3)

Looking for another quick and easy date recipe? Why not give myEasy Date Sconesa go! Moist, fluffy date scones in an easy mix recipe, no need to rub the butter into the flour - just mix and into the oven!

PS When I mentioned to mum that I was going to include an anecdote about her (getting editorial permission!) in this post, I didn't even need to tell her which story I was going touse - she guessed straight away!

Lee-Ann ♥

Some of my other simple Melt & Mix recipes:

Spiced "Fudge" Date Squares

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites with Pretzels

Chocolate Coffee Fudge (No Thermometer)

No Crust Fig Brownies

Butter Pecan Slice

Table of Contents

📖 Recipe

📖 Recipe

Easy Date Slice Recipe - Melt & Mix

Super simple Easy Date Slice Recipe - just melt and mix, done!

Print Pin Rate

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Serving: 12 squares

Calories: 179kcal

Author: Lee-Ann Grace

Ingredients

1 ½ cups or 200g chopped dates dry not fresh
1 ⅓ cups or 200g self raising flour - sifted
⅓ cup or 70g light brown sugar
150 g salted butter - cubed
2 tbsp. golden syrup
rind of 1 lemon - finely grated

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180c or 350f.
Grease and line an 18cm x 18cm or 7inch x 7inch (base measurement) baking tin and set aside.
Combine butter, sugar and golden syrup in a medium heatproof bowl (place a piece of kitchen towel/paper on top but not touching the contents - this will save your microwave from splatters).
Microwave on high for 1 - 1 ½ mins until butter is melted, remove from microwave and mix to melt sugar and combine.
Meanwhile place flour, dates and lemon in a medium bowl, mix to combine.
Add melted butter mixture to dates and flour, and mix well to combine.
Press mixture into prepared tin, smoothing the top - I use a mini silicone spatula for this.
Bake for 13 - 15 mins, until top is golden brown.
Allow to cool in tin for 30 mins before cutting into 12 squares.

Notes

Do you have leftover dates? Or maybe just looking for another quick and easy date recipe? Why not give myEasy Date Sconesa go! Moist, fluffy date scones in an easy mix recipe, no need to rub the butter into the flour - just mix and into the oven!

*Please note that the amount of calories per serve is provided as a guide only, as ingredients and cooking methods can vary greatly*

Reader Interactions

Comments

Denise Conway
August 04, 2023 at 10:19 am
Hello Lee-Ann please tell me what golden syrup is?
Reply
- Lee-Ann
  August 04, 2023 at 3:45 pm
  Hi Denise! Golden syrup is a thick, smooth golden-colored syrup made from cane sugar. It's the consistency of honey, but tastes different. It can also be known as light treacle. Hope this helps!
  L x
  Reply
Tania
September 25, 2022 at 1:33 pm

A delicious slice and definitely easy. Will be making this one again. Many thanks.
Reply
- Lee-Ann
  September 25, 2022 at 3:57 pm
  Total pleasure, Tania!
  Reply
BettyB
August 04, 2022 at 1:39 pm

Absolutely delicious. A real hit with my visitors n husband. V easy to make. Thank you.
Reply
See Also
Easy Homemade German Spaetzle Recipe – Oma's Egg Noodles
- Lee-Ann
  August 05, 2022 at 11:48 am
  Absolute pleasure BettyB!
  Reply
  - Theresa
    August 20, 2022 at 11:42 pm
    
    Omg delicious
    Reply
    - Lee-Ann
      August 21, 2022 at 8:40 pm
      Thanks Theresa!
      Reply
Lizzie Walford
July 28, 2022 at 11:24 pm

As always your recipes are scrumptious….I have made the
date slice, but I hadn’t any dates, only figs so I used them…
Delicious…. !!
Reply
- Lee-Ann
  July 29, 2022 at 10:11 am
  Thanks so much Lizzie! Great substitution idea with the figs too, sounds yum!
  Reply
Lola
March 22, 2022 at 4:13 am
Hi there! Could I use plain all purpose flour and then just use a leavening agent like baking powder or soda instead of the self raising flour? I don't usually keep that on hand. Thank you from Canada!!
Reply
- Lee-Ann
  March 22, 2022 at 12:35 pm
  Hi Lola, sure you can! To make your own self raising flour the ratio is 2 tsp of baking powder to every 150g of plain flour. Just sift them together then use as normal. For the 200g of flour for this recipe you will need 2 + 2/3 tsp of baking powder.
  Reply
  - Lola
    March 23, 2022 at 1:47 am
    Thank you for the response and doing the math for me!! Haha!!
    Reply
    - Lee-Ann
      March 24, 2022 at 10:42 am
      Pleasure Lola!
      Reply
      - margaret
        June 07, 2022 at 3:53 pm
        1 x cup dates =238g
        1 cup flour = 132g
        surely 1 1/3 cups of flour equals 181g so I'll give you 200g for that
        please explain if I have got it wrong before I waste the costs of ingredients and power
      - Lee-Ann
        June 07, 2022 at 4:35 pm
        Hi Margaret! 1 standard cup of flour (Australian cups) weighs 150g and standard 1/3 cup measure is 50g. That's how I arrived at 200g. The amount of chopped dates that the recipe calls for is 1 1/2 standard Australian cups (which weighs 200g). Hope this helps. I am in the process of reverting previous baking recipes to just show grams, there are a few though!
Elizabeth
March 08, 2022 at 10:54 am

Thank-you so much for this great scone recipe. My previous scones have always been a disaster, this one is a 5 star winner!
Reply
Fran
November 28, 2021 at 2:32 pm

Wanted to try a date recipe and came across your recipe. Had my doubts while it was baking as I had to leave it in oven about 10 minutes longer. They turned out delicious and look like yours. Thank you!
Reply
- Lee-Ann
  November 28, 2021 at 2:33 pm
  That's great Fran! You are so welcome!
  Reply
Badnonnie
October 28, 2021 at 6:15 am

Didn't have any dried dates so I used dried plums AKA prunes. A friend had received prunes in a food basket and gave me a bag. Never heard of golden syrup here in the US so I looked up how to substitute it with molasses and honey. Just took this out of the oven it smells great!. Okay couldn't wait for it to cool off it also tastes awesome thank you for giving me a way to use up a bag of prunes
Reply
- Lee-Ann
  October 28, 2021 at 9:04 am
  Pleasure! A+ for improvisation too 🙂
  Reply