A date roll or dates roll is a log of dates and nuts rolled tightly with the help of baking paper or cling wrap. The log is then cut into slices like salami and served.
You can also roll it into a bar and cut it like date candy. It can be eaten as energy bites or snacks.
This homemade date roll makes a healthy candy because it is naturally sweetened with dates and enriched with nutrients from nuts; these make a great pre-workout snack for instant energy. Check more benefits of dates at Healthline.com.
This recipe and my date milkshake recipe were first shared with me by my aunt. These are usually served at festive gatherings to greet guests. They are also called date log, date candy, almond date roll or dates salami, and dates burfi.
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Why does this recipe work?
- The recipe includes mainly nuts and dates only. While recipes that call for nut butter, biscuits, coconut, or chocolate, undermine the amazing date flavor.
- This recipe is pure indulgent of dates. The crunch from nut just complements that flavor. It is easy to store and can last you for months in the fridge and at least a week at room temperature in a cool place.
Ingredients
Dates variety
The main ingredient of this recipe is the dates so try to use Medjool dates of good quality. The taste depends on the taste of dates. We want chewy, soft dates for this recipe.
- If your dates are mushy soft, the roll will not form properly and you have to add crushed biscuits or desiccated coconut to absorb moisture.
- If your dates are too dry and dense then add little moisture by soaking dates in water for 5 minutes. So try to select the best dates for this date roll recipe.
Nuts
Our second main ingredient in this recipe. I've shared a common ratio of nuts to my liking. A variety of nuts help adds a variety of nutrients to our diet. You can substitute any nut with others and add more nuts too like pine nut and pecan.
Green Cardamom
I'm using green cardamom (elachi) in this recipe for that amazing aroma. Other flavors that can enhance the aroma of date roll are vanilla, saffron, cinnamon, and orange zest. Instead of cardamom powder, you can add any of these.
Healthy seeds
I'm using sesame seeds which are easily available and taste great. But you can use this recipe as a base to add any neutral flavor seeds to your diet like melon seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, or poppy seeds.
How to make it?
So this is a simple recipe, it has bare minimum cooking to roast nuts and melt dates. You can actually do it in the oven too but the stovetop is so simple and done in minutes without burning.
- Take all the chopped nuts in a pan and dry roast for 30 seconds on medium heat until lightly toasted. Keep stirring and do not burn.
- Add sesame seeds and roast for another few seconds.
- Remove nuts to a bowl and set aside.
- Prepare date for the recipe by pitting and chopping. Then transfer dates to the same pan.
- Add butter, raisin, and cardamom powder to the dates. Cook on low heat for 2 minutes until soft keep mixing with a spatula. This may seem like forever but with little patience, the date will melt and become sticky dough-like.
- Remove from heat. Add nuts and mix with a spatula until combined. This might require some extra muscle work.
- Let the mixture get cool enough to handle. Then mix further with your hands. (If needed, I didn't).
- Transfer the date mixture to cling wrap and roll it into a log. (Watch the video)
- Keep the log in the fridge and cut slices of date roll as required. Serve cold.
Tips for variations
Variations for this recipe are endless, you can fully customize it with the aroma of your choice. I have provided a recipe that I'm familiar with. But can make as many variations as you like and steal the recipe. 🙂
- Roll the date and nut mixture into balls instead of a log and coat it with desiccated coconut, biscuit powder, or rice crispies, or anything.
- You can add any nuts of your choice just remember to keep the ratio of dates and nuts to 2:1. That is two parts of pitted and chopped dates for 1 part of mixed nuts.
- Some spices that can enhance the aroma of date roll are cardamom, saffron, cinnamon, orange, or lemon. Instead of cardamom powder, you can add any of these spices or zest.
- Other options for add-ons are wheat biscuits, chocolate, cocoa powder, roasted poppy seeds, roasted oats, pine nuts, etc.
What makes these best treats for guests in the festive season?
Usually, in the festive season, people are visiting too many relatives the whole day long. All hosts are serving drinks, desserts, or snacks and guests feel too full to eat anything at all. Sometimes, my guest would just ask us politely to serve nothing and just spend some good time chatting.
The date candy is always welcomed and it is a bite-size presentable goody that can be served hassle-free. Since they are gluten-free and vegan, they meet everyone one's diet requirements. Check out these fudgy vegan brownies too, so decadent.
Setting a tray for guests with assorted sweets is a great way to show off your skills. We usually make some date rolls, kharak, some sort of truffles (like coconut balls or Oreo balls) some dry fruits, and chocolates, and this tray make a welcoming and impressive gesture for guests.
Troubleshooting tips
- If your dates are very chewy and hard. Soak dates for a few seconds in water to get softened. No need generally.
- If your dates mixture appears to be too dry and doesn't come together to roll. Add a little margarine or butter during the cooking of dates to soften them.
- If your dates and nuts mixture is too moist and mushy. You may add 1-2 tablespoons spoons of crushed biscuits or desiccated coconut to make it denser and easy to roll.
Recipe FAQs
The date roll is best stored in the fridge. They stay good in the freezer for up to 2 months or in the freezer for 3 months or more. You can store it on the counter for a week at a cool place. But it tastes best when cold.
3-4 dates can be consumed daily. As dates are high in carbohydrates, consuming too many dates can cause weight gain. About one slice of the date roll contains 1 date.
Want more goodies? Check these to satisfy cravings.
If you try this date roll recipe, I'd LOVE to hear your feedback in the comments. Your 5-ratings motivate me to do my best. Stay connected for more recipes and videos on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube.
📖 Recipe
Date Roll
Ingredients
Nuts
- ¼ cup almond, chopped
- ¼ cup cashew, chopped
- 2 tablespoon pistachio, chopped
- 2 tablespoon walnuts, chopped
Other
- 2 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 cup pitted dates, about 30, roughly chopped
- ½ tablespoon butter or ghee , (or coconut oil for vegan)
- ¼ cup raisins
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
Instructions
- Take all the chopped nut in a pan and dry roast for 30 second on medium heat until lightly toasted. Add sesame seeds and roast for another few seconds. Remove nuts to a bowl and set aside.
- In the same pan add butter and chopped dates. Cook on low heat for 2 minutes until soft keep mixing with a spatula. Add raisin, roasted nuts, and cardamom powder to dates and cook further for a minute. Remove from heat.
- Let the mixture get cool enough to handle. Then mix further with hands (if needed).
- Transfer the dates mixture on cling wrap and roll it into a log. Keep the log in the fridge and cut slices of date as required. Serve cold.
Notes
- If your dates are very chewy and hard. Soak dates for a few seconds in water to get softened. No need generally.
- If your dates mixture appears to be too dry and doesn't come together to roll. Add a little margarine or butter during the cooking of dates to soften.
- If your dates and nuts mixture is too moist and mushy. You may add 1-2 tablespoon spoons of crushed wheat biscuits or oats to make it denser and easy to roll.
Naomi says
Tasted good but hard to roll then set too hard to cut sender up in clumps unfortunately
Mariam Sodawater says
Hi Naomi, I'm sorry to know the recipe didn't work for you. I wish you had taken a minutes to read the notes that if your dates are hard then soak in the water. If the mixture is dry add butter during cooking. Unfortunately, I can't control the ingredient used in the recipe. Generally, soft chewy dates are best for date roll.
Paulette Tasse says
Let ve this recipe, I had something close to this at a Wine Tasting at the Nappa Valley ,California. Great with crackers and wine we had white !
Lyne says
Hello Mariam!
This recipe was a great find!
I love dates for their great nutritional properties! I made this and gifted my friends with each a small log. They all asked for more and the recipe! A keeper! I use Medjool and cut wirh scissors for best results!
Bless you for sharing!
Mariam Sodawater says
Hi Lyne, this is the best thing I've read in the whole day. Thank you so much for your kind words. And so thoughtful of you to share a healthy gift with friends. Bless you too!
Ayesha says
Hi please could you guide me as to why is my Dates roll becoming hard in the refrigerator. Thabk you.
Mariam Sodawater says
Hi, in this recipe moisture in date can create a lot of variation. If your roll gets too hard in the fridge, you can reheat the mixture and sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water to make softer dough. (Add water as needed.) Then roll again. This should help!
Tasneem Kitabi says
A healthy snack. Made a couple of times. And we love it.
Recipe 52 says
Thank a lot for leaving a feedback. Hope you are having a good experience on the site.
Sarah says
Omg that looks so delicious
Recipe 52 says
Thanks Sarah!