Quick Date Cookie Recipe
Simple ingredients transform into extraordinary treats in this recipe that celebrates the natural caramel sweetness of dates.
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What is a date cookie?
A date cookie is a type of dessert with dates as the core ingredient. It usually relies on natural sweetness. The texture is between that of a soft cookie and an energy bar. This recipe is a healthier, modified version of it.
Traditional date cookies often add oats or chopped nuts to enhance the texture. However, this version highlights the natural caramel flavor of the dates themselves and is a prime example of "delicious simplicity" cuisine.
What kitchen tools are needed?
To make these date cookies, you can easily manage with basic tools:
Blender/Food Processor
This is used to blend dates and almond flour into a sticky dough. If you don't have a blender, you can chop the dates by hand with a knife (time-consuming but feasible), and then mix them with almond flour and knead until a dough forms.
Baking Sheet + Baking Parchment Paper
These are essential for preventing sticking. Using a silicone baking mat is even more environmentally friendly. When pressing the cookies, it's recommended to place a piece of baking paper on top to avoid the dough sticking to your hands.
Measuring Spoon/Ice Cream Scoop
These help to evenly portion out the dough. If you don't have them, you can use an ordinary spoon to scoop the dough and roll it into balls with your palms.
Oven + Oven Thermometer
Precisely controlling the temperature at 160°C is crucial. If there is a significant temperature difference in your oven, you can check the coloring state after baking for 15 minutes.
Heat-Resistant Gloves
These are used to protect your hands from heat when removing the baking sheet. You can also use a thick towel instead.
Can these cookies be made in an air fryer?
Yes, but an oven is highly recommended! This recipe is tailor-made for the oven and can 100% recreate the ideal texture - slightly crispy on the outside and moist and chewy on the inside, just like a natural dessert with date paste wrapped in almond flour.
If you really want to use an air fryer, here's a texture compensation tip:
Brush a very thin layer of coconut oil on the surface of the cookies before baking (spread it with your fingertips) and bake at 150°C for 10 minutes. This can accelerate the formation of the crispy crust and lock in the internal moisture so that the cookies don't become dry and hard.
INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 80g dates (weight before soaking to soften)
- 150g almond flour
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Soak the dates in hot water at 70 - 80°C for 20 minutes until softened. Take them out and squeeze out the water, then set aside.
STEP 2
Put the softened dates and almond flour into a blender and blend until the crumbs stick together to form a dough.
STEP 3
Use a round spoon to divide the mixture into uniformly sized balls (about 20g each). Roll them into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
STEP 4
Gently press the balls into round cakes about 1 cm thick with your hands.
STEP 5
Preheat the oven to 160°C, place the baking sheet in the middle layer of the oven, bake for 20 minutes, then take it out and let it cool.
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Professional Tips
Temperature for Softening Dates
Soak the dates in warm water at 70 - 80°C (not boiling water). This can soften the fibers without damaging the natural fructose. After soaking, you should be able to gently press the dates and feel they are elastic. If you're short on time, you can cut the dates into pieces with scissors before soaking, reducing the soaking time to 10 minutes.
Secret to Keep Almond Flour Moisture-Free
For almond flour that hasn't been used up after opening the bag, storing it in the freezer in an airtight container can extend its freshness. If you find the almond flour has become oily and clumpy when making the dough, sift it before using for a smoother texture.
Adjusting the Dough's Moisture
If the dough is too crumbly after mixing, add half a spoonful of the soaking water from the dates (or coconut oil) to increase its stickiness. If it's too sticky, sprinkle a small amount of coconut flour to absorb the moisture and prevent the cookies from flattening out after baking.
Non-Stick Shaping Techniques
Before rolling the dough into balls, apply a very thin layer of coconut oil on your hands, or wear disposable PVC gloves. When flattening the balls, use the lid of a flat-bottomed cup to assist. This can quickly create an even thickness.
Judging the Baking Status
Check the edges of the cookies after baking for 15 minutes. If they are slightly golden, turn off the oven. The residual heat will continue to dry the insides of the cookies. If you prefer a crispier texture, you can lower the oven temperature to 150°C and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Key to Preserving the Crispness during Cooling
Let the baking sheet sit for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven to help the cookies set. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. In humid regions in the south, it is recommended to put a slice of toast in the storage container to absorb moisture and maintain an ideal balance of crisp and soft texture.
Variations
Nut Surprise Version
Stir in 15g of chopped pecans or hickory nuts. Embed half an almond on the surface of the dough before dividing it into pieces. After baking, the nutty aroma will be doubled.
Middle-Eastern Spice Style
Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom + 1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the blender. Sprinkle gold leaf crumbs on the baked cookies to instantly transform them into luxurious tea snacks.
Tropical Flavor Version
Add 10g of chopped dried mango when mixing the dough. After pressing the cookies, stick shredded coconut on the surface. Lower the oven temperature to 150°C and bake for 25 minutes to prevent the shredded coconut from burning.
Double Chocolate Version
Replace 30g of almond flour with unsweetened cocoa powder. Wrap dark chocolate chips inside the cookie dough. After refrigerating to set the shape and baking for 15 minutes, you can achieve a molten center effect.
Sweet and Salty Blend
Add 5g of chopped salted pistachios to the dough. Sprinkle a small amount of flaky sea salt on the surface. This balances the sweetness with a more sophisticated flavor.
No-Bake Energy Balls
Add 10g more chia seeds to the ingredients. After rolling the dough into balls, roll them in shredded coconut or matcha powder. Refrigerate for 2 hours to set the shape. The texture is similar to a softer version of date paste cake.
Storage Recommendations
Room Temperature Storage (3 days)
After the cookies have completely cooled down, place them in an airtight container. Separate each layer with baking paper to prevent sticking.
Avoid contact with water vapor. You can put a pack of food desiccant (or an unopened tea bag as a substitute) at the bottom of the container.
Refrigerator Storage (1 week)
Wrap each cookie tightly with plastic wrap and store them in a sealed bag in the refrigerator.
Take them out 10 minutes before consumption to bring them to room temperature, or heat them in the microwave on low power for 5 seconds to restore the soft and chewy texture.
Freezer Storage (1 month)
Freezing Raw Dough: Roll the dough into balls and freeze them. Before baking, flatten the balls directly without thawing. Increase the baking time by 3 - 5 minutes.
Freezing Baked Cookies: Let the baked cookies cool completely before sealing and freezing. When ready to eat, reheat them in the oven at 150°C for 8 minutes for a crispier texture.
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Quick Date Cookie Recipe
- Main Ingredients:2
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:230 g
-
Energy (calories)：1094 kcal
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Protein：33.69 g
-
Fat：75.21 g
Why gray?
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Carbohydrates：92.35 g
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Protein: 11%117 kcal
-
Fat: 58%629 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 32%348 kcal
The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.
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