How to Make Date Syrup – Date Syrup Recipe

Date syrup is a great alternative to processed sugar. It tastes amazing and is so easy to make! Perfect for sweetening your morning coffee, a sugar alternative in recipes, yogurt topping, or syrup replacement for pancakes or waffles.

Why use dates?

I’m pretty new to date syrup and it’s becoming more popular here in the United States, but in other countries it is widely used. For example, in North Africa and the Middle East traditional foods are still very prominent and dates are abundant so date syrup is quite common.

Not only are dates a great sugar alternative, but they are actually really good for you! You may find it interesting to know that date syrup contains more nutrients and minerals than honey or maple syrup. It is also rich in antioxidants.

I’m all about packing in more nutrition for my family! I love that I can do that simply by using tasty date syrup in place of sugar, or sometimes even in place of honey or maple syrup. An easy swap with so many benefits and did I mention it’s tasty? So so good!

You can now buy date syrup in the store which is very convenient, but it’s rather pricey. Making it at home is so easy and fun – so why not! Read on to find out how!

Ingredients

1 lb Dried Medjool Dates

4 C. Water

How is date syrup made?

METHOD 1 – for the smoothest syrup

1. To make date syrup you simply need to pit and chop the dates and then soften them by boiling.
2. Once cooled, use a blender or food processor to puree the cooked dates (for most blenders it needs to be at least below 180F/82C).
3. Next, you will remove the pulp by using cheese cloth and a fine mesh strainer (the pulp can be saved for other uses, which I share later).
4. Optional: Cook down the thin liquid to achieve a thicker consistency and deeper flavor (this is especially important if using for baking).

METHOD 2 – quick date syrup

1. Add water and lemon juice to blender
2. Add whole (de-seeded) dates
3. Blend!
4. That’s it – enjoy!

Tips for Using Cheese Cloth

1. Rinse the cheesecloth thoroughly to remove any lint before using.
2. Instead of buying new cheesecloth each time just rinse well with hot water and let dry to save for next use.
3. Once completely dry store in an airtight container or bag.
4. Next time rub it between your hands to make it looser and easier to work with if it is stiff.
5. If you are reusing cheese cloth opt for a higher thread count as it will be more durable.
6. To remove stains or odors you can soak the cloth in lemon juice and water.

What do you need to make date syrup?

Dates – Medjool Dates are ideal, but any type of date will work.

Medium Sauce Pan

Wood Spoon

Blender / Food Processor

Mixing Bowl

Silicon Spatula

Cheese Cloth and / or Fine Mesh Strainer

Mason Jar for storing

How to Store Date Syrup

• You can store date syrup in a glass jar in the fridge for about 3 weeks.
• The paste leftover will last for 3 months in an airtight container in the fridge.

Date Butter (also called date paste – a beautiful byproduct of date syrup)

The first time I made date syrup I was really worried about wasting all of that nutritious date pulp I was squeezing the liquid out of! I stashed it in a container and stuck it in the fridge while I finished the process for my syrup.

I had heard that you can save the paste, but didn’t take the time to research the uses. I just decided to try it on some toast with a bit of cinnamon and chia seeds. It was SO delicious. It was smooth and sweet and reminded me of apple butter, so I call it my ‘date butter.’

If your date paste is really thick you can add back a bit of the syrup to make it the consistency you like.

Anytime you can make two amazing products at once is a recipe worth trying! I hope you enjoy it and I hope you give the ‘date butter’ a try. You won’t be sorry!

Let me know in the comments below what you use your date syrup and butter for. I’m always experimenting and looking for new ways to use it in our meals and snacks.

Common Uses for Date Syrup

• Drizzled on Ice Cream
• Mixed in Oatmeal
• Coffee Sweetener
• Pancake, Waffle, or French Toast Syrup
• Yogurt Topping
• Drizzled on Almond Butter Toast
• Baking
• Replacement for Honey or Maple Syrup (i.e. granola)
• Salad Dressings
• Pizza Sauce
• Protein Balls (recipe)

Common Uses For Date Paste (Date Butter)

• Spread on Toast
• Spread on Bagel with Cream Cheese
• Marinades
• Baking
• Coffee Sweetener

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