Caramelized Medjool Dates
So I have rambled on and on about how my favorite snack is Medjool dates slathered in almond butter. By now you are probably tired of hearing it, but sadly today’s post is ENTIRELY date related. That’s because I have found a way to make them taste EVEN BETTER and I want to share it with you. There is only one ingredient and one oven (two if you want to make ALL THE DATES) standing between you and this amazing candied snack.
Let’s talk about caramelized Medjool dates.
These are Medjool dates. They are larger than regular dates and tend to be softer and sweeter. They are used to make amazing things like caramel sauce, are the base to many of the protein or energy balls floating around on Pinterest, and can be used to sweeten things like smoothies or nut milks.
I have shared before that I hate soft, mushy dates. In an experiment to try and dry them out, I cut them in half, removed the pits, and put them in the oven at the lowest temperature for something like 5 hours. I was left with perfectly tough and chewy dates that I then devoured with half a container of almond butter. Ok, not that much but it was bad.
I learned that drying them out in the oven also changed their taste. It brought out the richness of the sugar and left a deeper caramel flavor. I have no idea how to describe food except with absurd adjectives, so this is as close as I come to describing it. Bottom line: they were better, richer, and tasted like candy.
Now 5 hours in the oven seemed a bit excessive to me, so I decided to up the temperature some and lessen the cooking time to see if I could still get that chewy, caramelized bite of heaven (am I overselling this?).
I cooked the dates on a cooling rack to allow the air to circulate and evenly dry them out. Here is a nice horizontal shot.
But perhaps you would like a vertical one from my need to share everything date-related on Instagram.
As well as cooking them on a cooling rack, I also left the door cracked slightly to allow that air in to circulate.
After a 1/5 reduction in cooking time, I can safely say that I am fully equipped with an amazing snack that is way healthier than it tastes. My personal recommendation is to dip them in almond butter, but if you don’t have any on hand never fear…amaretto almond butter to the rescue!
Caramelized Medjool Dates
- Medjool dates (as many as you want and will fit on a cooling rack)
- Preheat the oven to 185 degrees. The temp needs to be low to avoid burning the sugar in the dates.
- Cut dates in half lengthwise and remove the pits.
- Arrange cut side down on a cooling rack.
- Place in oven and cook for 60 – 75 minutes (lower time for chewier dates). Leave oven door partially cracked.
- Remove cooling rack from oven and let cool for 10-15 min. The dates will firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they still seem soft when they are done.
- Eat by themselves or a dip of your choice (almond butter, peanut butter, or I’ve even heard cheese is good from some readers!)
Questions:
- Are you tired of me talking about dates?
- What’s your favorite healthy indulgence?
- What’s your favorite UNhealthy indulgence?
Needs to be tried with figs. Love me some figs.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Impromptu Date Night at Nico Osteria Chicago (review)
I love dates too but I hate how they get stuck to my fingers and end up in a smeary mess all over my toddler’s face, clothes and high chair tray. I def need to try this method out to see if it reduces the tackiness.
Suzy recently posted…Woozy Wednesday: Red Toilet Water
Oh it will. I don’t like how sticky they get either, especially when I cut them in half to get the pits out.
These sound magical! I have discovered how much I love dates in the past couple of months! I definitely love them with nut butter as well.
Erin recently posted…Super Healthy Edible Cookie Dough
I think that takes them to a whole other level. I just ate one plain the other day and was like meh, it’s alright. Then I dunked it in almond butter and all was right with the world.
Yesssss I am so glad you posted this this week because I bought dates for the first time last weekend after hearing so much hype from them. I had no idea what to do with them. Not gonna lie the look of them freaked my out.
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner recently posted…Eggplant Spaghetti Squash Parmesan Recipe
Haha but they’re delicious! They’re a little too sweet for me on their own, which is why I like to eat them with almond butter. Let me know how you like them!
My husband does the most of our grocery shopping, and he brought me home Medjool dates. I didn’t know what they were (neither did he), I just put “dates” on the shopping list. But holy moly are they good!!! I’ll have to try baking them!
Maggie recently posted…Bachelorette Party Ideas
What a lucky surprise! You can make so many things with them and one day I will when I stop shoving them in my mouth.
Interesting photo structure.
ahhh love dates they are the best! Never though about caramelizing them but will try it out next time
Beverley @ sweaty&fit recently posted…First Time Doing a Crossfit WOD
It takes them up a notch if you ask me. Thanks for reading Beverley!
I might have to start paying you to make me date treats like this. They intimidate me! But they always look so good.
Lauren @ ihadabiglunch recently posted…Finding Healthy: It’s a long journey. You can’t be afraid to fall on your face
It’s so easy! Just dates! You can do it; I know you can 🙂
okay my weekend project is going to be your almond butter recipe and this date recipe. I have frozen dates from TJs I could use!! You rock. Happy Friday!!
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Recipe of the week: easiest green smoothie
Yessss. Let me know how they turn out! Have a great weekend!
Thanks for this tip!
I need caramelized dates for an American Brown Ale I’m brewing, and this process looks perfect!