Bring the sweet caramelly goodness of dates to life in your kitchen with this collection of recipes with dates. We have everything covered from breakfast to breads, desserts, and candies. There is sure to be something here you’ll love!
I don’t know if you have noticed, but I have become a bit infatuated with dates.
It started innocently enough; a recipe here, a recipe there. Now I am buying them almost every single week.
There is just something about that deep, caramel-like sweetness and chewy texture that makes them absolutely irresistible in both baked goods and no-bake treats alike. I love old-fashioned recipes, and dates show up in so many of the best ones.
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They have been tucked into grandma’s recipe boxes and great-grandma’s cookbooks for generations, and for good reason. If someone took the time to write a recipe down and save it, you know it had to be worth making.
Whether you are in the mood for a gooey pudding, a buttery bar, a no-bake candy, or even a retro frozen salad, there is something here for you.
Grab a bag of dates and let’s dig in. I have a feeling you are about to fall just as hard for them as I did.
Our Favorite Date Recipes
Grandma’s Date Pudding
This one came straight out of my grandma's recipe box, and it is an absolute gem. Bits of sweet dates are suspended in a soft, almost gooey cake that goes from idea to done in less than an hour. It is the kind of simple, old-fashioned dessert that tastes like it took way more effort than it actually did.
If you have never had a date bar, you are truly in for a treat. The dates are cooked down into a thick, jammy filling that gets sandwiched between a buttery brown sugar oat crust — think fig newton, but with dates and oats. They are nostalgic, delicious, and dangerously easy to go back for seconds.
This vintage no-bake treat has the perfect mix of buttery chew from the dates and satisfying crunch from the Rice Krispies. They come together with just a handful of ingredients and require zero oven time, which makes them a win any day of the week. They are a classic for a reason!
I found this quirky little gem while paging through my great-grandma's cookbook, and it gives vintage vibes in the very best sort of way. Sweet dates, pineapple, and banana are folded together with pecans and frozen in a creamy maple dressing. The results are wonderfully retro and surprisingly delicious.
The batter is quick to whip up and loaded with chopped dates and walnuts, but the real fun is baking them in emptied tin cans for a retro twist that makes them perfectly giftable. The round slices are great plain or spread with a little butter or cream cheese. You can even freeze the extras to enjoy later — if they last that long!
This fun recipe is a cross between a coffee cake and a quick sweet bread, and it is loaded with dried fruits and whole grains. The dates and raisins soak in hot tea until they are plump and juicy before getting folded into the batter. It is perfect for tea time or a cozy breakfast, and I am telling you — it is so good.
These old-fashioned cookies are a blast from the past, and I think it is about time they made a comeback. The dough is lightly sweet, letting the chopped dates, cherries, and pecans really shine, and rolling them in crushed cornflakes gives them the most satisfying crunchy exterior. That little maraschino cherry perched on top is just the cutest finishing touch.
This Grandma's Date Nut Bread is the kind of recipe that has been quietly winning hearts for generations — and once you try it, you will completely understand why. The semi-dense, lightly sweet quick bread is delicious on its own, but add a little butter and it becomes something truly special. If you don't want to bake it in cans, baking it in loaves like this is for you.
This Stuffed Acorn Squash With Dates is proof that dates belong at the dinner table, not just in desserts. Tender acorn squash gets filled with a buttery mixture of pecans, dates, and brown sugar that is equal parts cozy and indulgent — and thanks to the Instant Pot, it comes together fast enough to make on a weeknight. It is the kind of fall side dish that pairs beautifully with pork chops or chicken and looks way more impressive than the effort it takes.
Carlee is a busy mom that loves to share family friendly recipes. There are a mix of quick and easy Midwest comfort food meals and plenty of sweet treats.
Whether you are looking for an old fashioned recipe from Carlee's grandma's recipe box or a new meal to feed your family, you are in the right place. There are plenty of delicious recipes for every cooking skill level and amount of time available.
