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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Almond Preparation: Pulse raw almonds in a food processor until transformed into a fine, powdery texture, creating the foundational base for the almond paste.
- 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.
- 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.
- Date Transformation: Carefully split dates lengthwise, meticulously removing the pit while preserving the fruit’s delicate structure, preparing them for the luxurious almond filling.
- 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.
- 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