Date Syrup
(click on image to enlarge)
This was posted on vegsorce.com by silverfire. I have added the vanilla and cinnamon to it.
For those looking to substitute the use of agave and/or maple syrup. I was not aware of how much we are effecting the bat population by our use of agave, until recently. It is the main food source for nectar bats. Victoria J. has posted a thread about Agave Nectar and Bat Populations.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 1 cup water, approximately
- 1 teaspoon vanilla, (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, (optional)
Preparation
Chop up dates and soak them in just enough water to cover the top of the dates. Soak overnight. Or soak for at least three hours. Soaking is not required, but I get the best results for my date syrup/paste when I do soak.
After soaking, mash the soaked dates with a fork till they are as mushed as possible. Or you could use a blender.
Place the sloppy mashed date pulp into a straining bag of sorts and squeeze all of the syrup out. If you blend the dates and water in a really good blender, there really won’t be a need to strain the syrup. You can use as is.
At this point, you can eat or use as is. (The date and water mixture is shown in the picture.) Or at this time, you could add cinnamon, vanilla and cinnamon, or cacao powder. Add more water and cacao powder for a nice chocolate syrup. The options and uses for date syrup is truly unlimited.
Note – Depending on how much water you have put in, it will come out like a syrup. If more water was added, like a sugar water. If you’d like a thicker syrup, you can add less water to the initial soaking period and stir dates occasionally, or finely blend some of the soaked strained pulp with some water and add that.
Some people use dates and water with a pinch of sea salt.
Comments
*Daisy* writes: (June 09, 2008)
Awesome idea. I’ve got tons of dates that I can now use!!
VIBRANCE writes: (June 10, 2008)
Does this taste like caramel sauce? I’ve been looking for a recipe for raw caramel sauce!
lzhpt writes: (June 10, 2008)
vibrance, i too had this craving a while back. Check the recipes for Perfect Raw Caramel dip. Also Yanna has one with brazil nuts if you check that profile. I ate mine every day for a week—went through 4-6 granny smiths a day! LOL
Zoe writes: (June 10, 2008)
if you add salt to date syrup you get caramel sauce!
i just put the dates in the blender with water and blend. It is the best and only truly raw sweetner!!
simplyraw writes: (June 10, 2008)
Vibrance – It does have a caramel taste to it. We had it this morning over our peaches. (The thick version, without the vanilla and cinnamon). I will post a picture later today. It was truly Delicious!!! I have been wanting to make some raw scones, this would make an awesome spread. Or spread on carrot cake. My daughter is saving some to eat with apples this afternoon.
Add the cinnamon and vanilla for a different version. (some people say the cinnamon kinda gives it a butterscotch taste)
So many things you could do with date syrup/paste. Date/Water Date/Water/Vanilla/Cinnamon Date/Water/Cacao Powder
Wish I would have had some ice cream to go with peaches and Date syrup this morning. Next time. I can’t wait. I bet that will be the bomb!
Definitely, try the date and water recipe first. 1 cup pitted dates 1 cup water Blended in blender.
So Simple, So Delicious!
simplyraw writes: (June 10, 2008)
Oh! By the way, I have tried a couple of other caramel sauces. If you are looking for a caramel sauce, I have to say this is the best one I have tried. You could probably had a nut butter like some other caramel sauces call for, but the dates and water was all that we needed. No need for maple syrup either. For us, this has been by far, the best caramel sauce we have come across.
LOL! :)
VIBRANCE writes: (June 12, 2008)
Thanks for the caramel comments everyone!
hyl writes: (September 30, 2008)
I made this last night to dip my apple slices in. It was sooooo good and totally cured my sweet tooth, which is a miracle within itself! It does taste like caramel to me. I used a little less water so that it would come out a little thicker and added a tad bit extra vanilla (because I can’t get enough).
whyonlytwice writes: (October 08, 2008)
How long would you say date syrup will last in the fridge? A week or so? Thanks!
Log in to discuss this recipe. No account yet? Sign up here.