Pinterest Hidden Image

Although some might say incredibly delicious on their own or kept simple (hello stuffed dates), dates are one of the most versatile natural sweeteners and can be added to an array of sweet recipes.

These flavorsome little fruits add sweetness and a delicious caramel taste to treats and snacks. Their fibrous composition provides structure to desserts. Because of their natural sugary stickiness, they can also act as a binding agent.

Dates are native to the Middle East and grow from big trees known as date palms. They can be eaten both semi-dried or fresh and are intensely sweet, more so once they are partially dried. (source: Bon Appetit)

Whether you want a healthy date caramel dip for dunking apples or decadent date-sweetened brownies, there are countless ways to incorporate these nutrient-dense fruits into your recipes.

🍬 Date Sweetened Desserts and Snacks

Dates are the perfect natural sweetener for making no-bake cookies and healthier snacks. Here are some simple recipes using dates that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Chocolate Covered Dates with Peanut Butter

These easy chocolate covered dates stuffed with peanut butter are such are so delicious and moreish. They're vegan, gluten-free, and take less than an hour to prepare. Perfect for when you want a healthier snack.
Check out this recipe

Vegan Oreos (No-Bake)

Healthier Oreo cookies that are vegan-friendly, no-bake and can be adapted as gluten-free. This recipe comes together in just a few easy steps.
Check out this recipe

Date Caramel

Easy date caramel recipe with just 4 ingredients. Made without sugar, it's also nut-free and gluten-free. The perfect healthier caramel sauce alternative.
Check out this recipe

Vegan Wagon Wheels (Moon Pies)

Easy vegan wagon wheels biscuits with jam centers. No-bake and made using minimal ingredients, they can also be adapted as gluten-free and nut-free.
Check out this recipe

🍫 Date Brownies

Juicy dates are the perfect way to sweeten raw brownies as they help stick and keep all of the ingredients together.

Vegan Caramel Brownies (No Bake, Gluten Free)

The best no bake vegan date caramel brownies. This easy recipe is flourless, gluten-free and made with a walnut brownie base.
Check out this recipe

Strawberry Brownies

These vegan strawberry brownies are fudgy and gooey and made using simple ingredients. They're also no-bake, gluten-free, and flourless. The perfect easy vegan treat for summer!
Check out this recipe

Vegan Peanut Butter Brownies (No Bake)

These vegan peanut butter date brownies are no-bake and incredibly easy to make. With under 10 ingredients, they're also gluten-free and can be adapted as refined sugar-free.
Check out this recipe

Raspberry Mocha No Bake Brownies

Delicious airy mocha mousse with sweet raspberry jelly on a raw date brownie base, covered in dark chocolate! These brownies are vegan, no-bake and gluten-free!
Check out this recipe

No Bake Date Brownies

These vegan nutella brownies come together in just a few easy steps with minimal ingredients. They're also gluten-free, date-sweetened, and no-bake so no need to turn on the oven.
Check out this recipe

Vegan Peanut Butter Jelly Brownies

Layers of raw date brownie, creamy peanut butter, and jelly encased in a chocolate shell. These bars are no-bake, gluten-free, and delicious.
Check out this recipe

🍯 Desserts with Date Caramel

As well as being an amazing snack paired with fruit or cookies, date caramel makes a lovely addition to desserts, especially no-bake recipes.

In fact, you can even use date caramel as a means to sweeten smoothies or serve on the side with some dairy-free ice cream.

Vegan Snickers Bars (No-bake, GF)

The best homemade version of vegan snickers bars you'll ever try. A chewy peanut caramel nougat base topped with salted peanut date caramel, roasted peanuts and a generous coating of creamy vegan milk chocolate.
Check out this recipe

Vegan Mars Bars

An almond nougat base topped with silky sweet date caramel in a dairy-free chocolate bar. These bars are also no-bake and gluten-free
Check out this recipe

Vegan Snickers Tart (No Bake, Gluten Free)

This vegan snickers tart combines peanuts, caramel, and chocolate in one easy no-bake dessert. Made using 9 or fewer ingredients, and features a decadent date caramel filling.
Check out this recipe

Mars Ice Cream Bars (Vegan)

Dairy-free ice cream topped with silky sweet date caramel covered in chocolate. The perfect naturally sweetened summer dessert.
Check out this recipe

🍰 Cakes Sweetened with Dates

One of the most common ways to make desserts with dates is to add them to the crust in no-bake cheesecake recipes.

Their main purpose here is to provide sweetness and to hold ingredients together. This is a great way to disguise their flavor and incorporate dates into your recipes - even if you're not too fond of their flavor!

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars (No Bake, Vegan)

These easy vegan strawberry cheesecake bars are creamy and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. Layers of vanilla cheesecake with intensely fragrant macerated strawberries on top of no-bake date crust.
Check out this recipe

Date And Walnut Cake

This incredibly moist date and walnut cake is easy to make and uses mostly pantry-staple ingredients. Made entirely eggless and dairy-free, it's the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon cuppa!
Check out this recipe

Easy Date Muffins (Nut Free, Refined Sugar-Free)

Incredibly fluffy and moist vegan date muffins naturally sweetened with dates and maple syrup and flavored with a pinch of cinnamon. These bakery-style muffins are studded with juicy date pieces and come together in just a few simple steps.
Check out this recipe

Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding

Vegan sticky toffee pudding with moist date sponge cake and buttery toffee sauce. A delicious spin on a classic British pudding!
Serve with a scoop of non-dairy vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of vegan custard or cream.
Check out this recipe

No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

This no-bake cheesecake is decadent while not being too sweet. You’ll find peanut butter in each and every layer from the date sweetened crust to the ganache topping!
Check out this recipe

Vegan Mango Cheesecake

This delicious vegan mango cheesecake uses a date-sweetened crust. Easy to make with no baking required!
Check out this recipe

Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

These deliciously creamy and light vegan lemon raspberry cheesecake bars are so bright and flavorsome. Refined sugar-free and naturally sweetened with dates and maple syrup.
Check out this recipe

No-Bake Carrot Cake Cheesecake

This no-bake carrot cake cheesecake is made with wholesome plant-based ingredients like dates and nuts and comes together in just a few easy steps. The base consists of a raw spiced carrot cake topped with tangy cashew cheesecake.
Check out this recipe

No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Bars

This vegan lemon cheesecake has layers of creamy cashew filling and zesty lemon curd on a no-bake date crust. The perfect refreshing vegan summer dessert!
Check out this recipe

👩‍🍳 Expert Tips

  • Select the best quality dates. Medjool dates will always have a special place in my heart, their deep caramel flavor and juicy texture make them perfect for desserts. Whichever variety you go for, make sure you go for dates that are plump, soft, and shiny.
  • Store dates in the fridge, not at room temperature. Although dates are usually sold from the ambient section of the supermarket, they actually hold their freshness much better in the fridge. So do yourself a favor and keep them stored chilled in an airtight container for maximum freshness.
  • Soak dried dates before adding them to your blender. This is not always necessary but helps if your dates are on the drier side. Presoak your dates in warm water for 30 minutes, drain and then gently dab off the excess water with a clean tea towel before use.
  • Make sure you remove the pits. Seriously, your blender (no matter how high-end) will not appreciate date pits in the mix. Do your equipment and your teeth a favor, and make sure you remove all date pits before adding them to any recipe.
date sweetened brownies, bars and cheesecake.Pin

➕ More Naturally Sweetened Desserts

Stay in touch with me through social media @ InstagramPinterestTikTok, and Facebook. And subscribe via email to get all our new recipes!

LEAVE A REVIEW:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *