Homemade Almond Paste Stuffed Dates Recipe: Sweet Bites of Joy

Rich, sticky dates hiding a delectable almond paste surprise create a dessert that dances between sweet and nutty.

This Middle Eastern-inspired treat brings elegance to any gathering with minimal effort.

Succulent Medjool dates get carefully split and generously filled with smooth, fragrant almond paste.

The delicate combination offers a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of natural date sweetness and rich almond intensity.

Perfect for dessert lovers seeking a sophisticated yet simple indulgence, these stuffed dates promise to delight even the most discerning palate.

Serve these elegant morsels and watch as your guests marvel at this effortless culinary masterpiece.

Tools You’ll Need for Stuffed Dates with Almond Paste

• Food Processor or Blender: Essential for grinding almonds into fine powder.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining almond powder, sugar, and orange blossom water.
• Knife: Needed for scoring dates and shaping almond paste.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients.
• Small Platter: Used for serving the final stuffed dates.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps measure ingredients accurately.

How to Make Almond Paste Stuffed Dates in Minutes

• Almond Powder Preparation

Grind raw almonds into a silky smooth texture using a food processor or high-powered blender until it reaches a fine, powdery consistency.

• Sweet Aromatic Mixture

Combine the almond powder with sugar and a splash of fragrant orange blossom water, mixing until a soft, pliable paste forms that holds together easily.

• Paste Forming

Shape the almond mixture into delicate, slender cylinders with gentle rolling motions between your palms, creating uniform bite-sized pieces.

• Sugary Coating

Gently roll the almond cylinders in a light dusting of fine sugar, ensuring an even, sparkly exterior that adds a delightful crunch.

• Date Transformation

Carefully slice open pitted dates, creating a gentle pocket for the almond cylinders, then tenderly nestle the sweet almond rolls inside each date.

• Decorative Finishing

Use a sharp knife to create a delicate cross pattern on top of each stuffed date, adding an elegant visual touch to these luxurious treats.

• Elegant Presentation

Arrange the stuffed dates on a beautiful serving platter, creating an inviting display that showcases the delicate, golden-brown dates and their sweet almond filling.

Flavor Boosting Tips for Stuffed Dates with Almond Paste

• Soak almonds overnight to create an ultra-smooth paste with incredible creamy consistency.
• Experiment with adding ground cinnamon, cardamom, or a touch of vanilla extract to elevate the almond paste's taste profile.
• Keep these delightful stuffed dates in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
• Sprinkle crushed pistachios, dip in dark chocolate, or dust with powdered sugar for stunning presentation that wows guests.
• Try regional variations by incorporating local nuts like hazelnuts or experimenting with different flower waters such as rosewater for a unique cultural spin.

Serve Almond Paste Stuffed Dates with Flair

• Elegant Dessert Presentation: Arrange the stuffed dates on a beautiful white ceramic platter with delicate gold edges, creating an eye-catching display that highlights the intricate cross-scored pattern.
• Festive Garnish Option: Sprinkle finely chopped pistachios or rose petals around the dates to add a pop of color and complementary nutty flavor that enhances the almond and orange blossom notes.
• Tea Time Pairing: Serve these sweet treats alongside Arabic coffee or a light Earl Grey tea, allowing guests to enjoy a delightful balance of flavors that showcase the subtle sophistication of the dessert.
• Gifting Delight: Package the stuffed dates in small, elegant gift boxes lined with tissue paper, making them a perfect homemade present for special occasions or as a thoughtful hostess gift.

Store Almond Paste Stuffed Dates for Snacking Later

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store these delicate treats in an airtight container within the refrigerator, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days. Cool temperatures help maintain the paste's smooth texture and prevent sugar crystallization.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the almond paste and stuff dates 2-3 days before serving, allowing flavors to meld together beautifully. This technique enhances the overall taste profile and saves valuable preparation time.
• Freezing Fresh Goodness: Wrap individual dates in plastic wrap, then place in a sealed freezer bag. Frozen almond-stuffed dates can stay delicious for approximately 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
• Serving Temperature Tips: Remove dates from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to soften the almond paste and restore their delightful, melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Room temperature brings out the subtle orange blossom and almond nuances.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 109 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Sweet Almond Paste Stuffed Dates

• Slivered Almonds: Crunchy foundation that provides nutty depth and textural contrast in the filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the almond paste and helps bind ingredients together smoothly.

• Orange Blossom Water: Delicate Middle Eastern essence that adds elegant floral notes and aromatic complexity.
• Optional Food Coloring: Allows creative customization, transforming the almond paste's visual appearance.

• Pitted Dates: Soft, natural vessel that cradles the almond paste, offering rich caramel-like sweetness and perfect bite-sized shape.

Decadent Almond Paste Stuffed Dates Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Mediterranean dates filled with rich almond paste showcase a delightful balance of sweet and nutty flavors. Elegant dessert bites bring cultural tradition and culinary charm to gatherings you’ll savor completely.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 pitted dates
• 1 cup (237 ml) slivered almonds
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 3–4 tsp (15–20 ml) orange blossom water
• Food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Almond Preparation: Pulse raw almonds in a food processor until transformed into a fine, powdery texture, creating the foundational base for the almond paste.
2. Paste Creation: Blend the almond powder with granulated sugar and fragrant orange blossom water, kneading thoroughly until a cohesive, smooth paste forms with uniform consistency.
3. Shaping and Coating: Form slender cylindrical shapes from the almond mixture, approximately 1 inch long, then delicately roll each piece through fine white sugar to create a sparkling, crystalline exterior.
4. Date Transformation: Carefully split dates lengthwise, meticulously removing the pit while preserving the fruit’s delicate structure, preparing them for the luxurious almond filling.
5. Filling and Finishing: Gently nestle the sugar-coated almond cylinders into the center of each date, pressing softly to secure the filling, then elegantly score the surface with a cross-hatched pattern to enhance both visual aesthetics and textural complexity.
6. Presentation: Artfully arrange the completed almond-stuffed dates on a refined serving platter, showcasing these sophisticated and indulgent confections as an elegant culinary creation.

Notes

• Almond Precision: Grind almonds until they reach a fine, flour-like texture to ensure a smooth, creamy paste without lumps.
• Sugar Balance: Use powdered sugar for a silkier consistency and to prevent graininess in the almond mixture.
• Date Selection: Choose plump, soft Medjool dates for the best texture and natural sweetness that complements the almond filling.
• Serving Tip: Chill the stuffed dates briefly before serving to help the almond paste set and enhance the flavor melding.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 109
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg