Name: Chef AJ’s Date Paste
Ingredients: 1 pound pitted dates (about 2 ½ cups); 1 cup liquid, such as water, unsweetened plant milk, or unsweetened juice

Recipes » Desserts » Chef AJ’s Date Paste

By Chef AJ

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Date paste is a versatile and delicious ingredient forming the foundation of many plant-based desserts. Made from simple, wholesome ingredients, this homemade paste offers a natural sweetness and rich texture. Whether you're craving a decadent frosting, a smooth filling, or a unique flavor enhancer, date paste is the perfect addition to your plant-based culinary repertoire.

Yield: Makes 2 ½ cups

Gluten Free Low Sugar Nut Free Soy Free

Chef’s Note: Make sure you always have some homemade date paste on hand to create a healthy dessert in no time. Always squeeze each date because even pitted dates occasionally have pits, which could damage your food processor blade.

Reprinted from Chef AJ’s Sweet Indulgence: Guilt-Free Treats Sweetened Naturally with Fruit (BPC, 2024)

Ingredients

1 pound pitted dates (about 2 ½ cups)
1 cup liquid, such as water, unsweetened plant milk, or unsweetened juice

Instructions

1. Soak dates in liquid of choice overnight, or for several hours, until much of the liquid is absorbed.
2. In a food processor fitted with the “S” blade, process dates and any excess soaking liquid until completely smooth.
3. Store the date paste in the refrigerator or freezer.

Cooking Tips

1. Date Paste is the basis of many of the desserts in this cookbook. Please use this exact recipe when making recipes from Sweet Indulgence, as commercial date pastes and other recipes may have a different ratio of dates to liquid. I have often used a schmear of Date Paste as a frosting on cakes and muffins.
2. If you don’t have time to soak your dates, place 1 pound of dates and 2 cups of water in the pressure cooker, cook on high pressure for 1 minute, and do a quick release of the pressure. When the dates are cool enough to handle, transfer them to a food processor fitted with the “S” blade and purée until smooth.