Date desserts are highly revered in Arab cuisine and are a welcome sight any time of year associated with celebrations, gatherings, Ramadan iftars and Eid celebrations. If you’re just looking for a couple of new ideas to incorporate dates in your diet, we have you covered. There are numerous ways to incorporate dates other than just snacking on them, they can be blended with milk for a morning smoothie, chopped  up for a salad or include them in desserts. Here are some of our best date recipes worth learning and enjoying!

Health benefits of dates: dates are among the earliest crops cultivated by man, and are often regarded as nature’s candy, but they are also nutrient-dense and may impart several health benefits, widely grown in hot, dry locations, primarily in the Middle East and North Africa, they are a great source of natural sugars such as sucrose, fructose and glucose which makes them sweet by nature. Dates have the ability to prevent chronic inflammation and other disorders, and can aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and immune system regulation.

12 Amazing Middle Eastern Date Recipes

Farida’s Date Ring Kaak: kaak can come in many forms in the Arab world, and this delicacy comes from Palestine and goes often by the name “Kaak Al Asawer” which literally translates to bracelet cookies, a spicy dough that surrounds an enticing date filling; in short, the contrast of crisp kaak and dense dates is magical, and a must have if you are a date lover  — will never fail to impress you

.Date Maamoul: If you are looking for a quick recipe that doesn’t involve long periods of dough rest, or if you’re running into issues with any other maamoul recipe, then you need this recipe in your life! It is a quick and easy version, even a novice baker can easily make, they’re melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and it’s impossible to eat one without reaching for a second!

Date Walnut Bread: Rich and decadent is how I describe this “Date Walnut bread”. Tender with a heavenly combination of Medjool dates and walnuts, and a lovely sugar icing for a perfect treat. What warms my heart is realizing I am not alone in my love for this recipe, it turns out to be a favorite of many of my readers! Enjoy any time of the day— breakfast, dessert, and everything in between. You can take it a step further and toast leftovers. It is smart and surprising tasty; simply slice the bread into 1 inch thick slices, spread out on a baking sheet, and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the bread is browned and toasty. You might even find yourself baking extra of this bread with leftovers in mind.

Tamara (Date Filled Gyraybeh with Pistachios): A Lebanese/ Syrian shortbread that belongs to the ghraybeh family and often found in most oriental sweet pastry shops. They are one of the most delicious cookies I have ever made. If you’re looking for something sophisticated to enjoy with coffee or tea, an edible gift to share with friends or neighbors, or just a fun baking project, these cookies are exactly the right thing you need to learn and keep in your baking repertoire. The melt-in-your-mouth delights involve flaky, buttery pastry that envelops a sweet date filling with a rich nutty flavor—thanks to the pistachios that incase the cookies.

Maamoul Mad Bil Tamer: are every date lover’s dream. They have a supremely dense date middle, sandwiched in a buttery crumbly semolina dough; they appear in Lebanon in numerous varieties and fillings, they are made with either dates, walnuts or pistachios. The word  mad literally translates to spread, so maamoul mad means spread in a pan or tray. Here, forget about the individual maamoul molding and baking batch by batch, just one pan and you’re done, yes way less tedious to prepare without compromising on taste.

Date and Nut Salami: Chewy, dense, rich and decadent is how I describe this fruit and nut dessert, made with Medjool dates and walnuts that lend a deep caramel flavor and toasty crunch enveloped with a nice hint of poppy seeds. “The Date and Nut Salami Log” is healthy with no added refined sugar and will keep you fueled for long and will help keep cravings at bay — it is irresistibly delicious, I am so excited to share it with you!

Iraqi Kleicha: Resembling tiny pinwheels, those date filled round -shaped kleicha are a staple treat in Iraqi households around Eid! They would go so well with coffee or tea and would round out a cookie assortment. They are a bit of a project to make but worth every minute of it, but you will love adding these to your holiday buffet! They are the perfect cookies to make ahead, and you would happily want to make them again and again!

Banana and Date Bread with Tahini and Carob Molasses: This bread combines some great flavors including bananas, dates, carob molasses, tahini and cinnamon powder. Yes, yes tahini and carob molasses! I have to say that the cake is outrageously delicious and there is a complexity of flavors in it. For those of you who are unfamiliar with carob molasses, it is a dark brown syrup liquid that has a natural sweetness with a deep smooth flavor and touch of acidy – apparently, before sugar ruled the world it was used in Lebanon as an alternative for sugar. It has terrific health benefits. It is so rich in vitamins and minerals.

Date Filled Ghraybeh: Lebanese shortbread cookies are buttery and crumbly with a soft date center, they are somewhat similar to maamoul with dates, but the flavors are of a different variety, a staple holiday cookie that reminds me of home.

Banana Date Smoothe: No refined sugar is involved here; but still I am not talking about a skinny smoothie, The little amount of oats adds more fiber and makes it even healthier. Serve it for breakfast, or after workout.

To Die For Fried Date and Goat Cheese Salad: Have you ever tried frying dates in a salad? If not, you certainly have to; arugula, mixed greens, goat cheese and fried dates dressed with olive oil and pomegranate molasses. It is do die for seriously, and has got to be my favorite salad to date!

Couscous Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Fried Dates: This colorful couscous salad is full of bright ingredients and lovely flavors! The dressing takes just a few minutes to make, a combination of olive oil, pomegranate molasses, mustard, salt and freshly grated black pepper, all are whipped with an immersion blender to create a well emulsified dressing.  The couscous will soak up the flavors in the dressing, you will love the contrast of savory and sweet.

If you make any of these date based recipes, leave a comment below, or share your pictures on Facebook! I would love to see your creations!! Hashtag, #Hadia’s lebanese Cuisine