Date Truffles
These are a lovely and easy little sweet to prepare. Made with dates, pistachios and shredded coconut, these truffles are a healthy alternative to date-filled pastries. Also, this is a delicious way to use up leftover dates from Ramadan.
The recipe is adapted from a similar one in Flavors of Morocco by Ghillie Basan.
Date Truffles
Makes about 20 small truffles
1½ cups (200 g) unsalted shelled pistachios
1½ cups high-quality dates, chopped
2-3 Tablespoons orange blossom water
1 Tablespoon honey
1cup dried, finely shredded coconut (unsweetened sticks the best)
Method:
- Toast the pistachios in heavy skillet or on baking sheet in moderate oven (350°F/175°C) until they emit a nutty aroma (about 5 minutes).
- Pour the shredded coconut into a shallow bowl and set aside.
- In a food processor (or with a mortar and pestle), grind the pistachios. Add the dates and mix or grind to form a thick paste.
- Transfer the pistachio-date paste to a bowl. Using your hands, mix in the orange blossom water and honey. (This can get very sticky.)
- One by one, shape into small even-sized balls and immediately roll in coconut while the ball is still sticky. Gently roll until completely coated in coconut. Repeat with the rest of the paste.
- Arrange truffles on a serving dish or place in miniature fluted paper cases. Store in airtight glass container in refrigerator for up to a week. Serve at room temperature.
Note: If you don’t care for coconut or you want more variety, try rolling the truffles in cocoa, chocolate sprinkles or finely chopped pistachios or almonds.
Question: Do you like to cook with dates? If so, what do you like to prepare?
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we make date fritters 🙂
Wow. Date fritters? Will definitely have to investigate that. I love anything with “fritter” in the name. 🙂
Those look delicious!
Thanks, Jenne. 😉
those are always on my family’s eid dessert table. I like using almonds in the truffles .. try adding rice krispies too!
i make date tarts, sticky toffee pudding and i liked Susan Al Husaini’s date and orange scones
HI Maryam, You’ve inspired me to make these date truffles for Eid–in addition to the usual stuff. The rice krispies sounds like a great idea … especially for the kids. I will check out those date & orange scones. Meanwhile, wishing you & your family a lovely Eid. Happy Baking!
Another beautiful post hopped from Foodgawker! We make Date Truffles as well – in slightly different manner though. Amazing how so many things are common across countries and culture and yet we are fighting for our own space!
Hi Ishita,
Thanks so much for stopping by. So interesting about the Date Truffles … they are turning out to be quite international. Yes, there are countless variations.
Hi mariam!!! Its my first time here… Beautiful blog n photography!!! I can see my future in making those truffles!! I m
Salvating already!!
Hi Holly. These look lovely and really healthy. Well done.L
Thanks for the comment, Lara. I made these again for Eid & they turned out well. I think I’ll make them every Eid.
Hi Holly. I truly love your take on dates truffle and your photography too 🙂 it’s such a healthier snack compared to junk, and I can taste it now while typing, that they sure taste awesomely good too. However I would like to ask you, is there other ingredient besides Orange Blossom Water that I can substitute with? Thank you and have a pleasant day. 🙂
Hi Amanda, Thanks for the comment. You can omit the orange blosson water and add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, sprinkled over the dates before mixing in.
hey thats one lovely rcipe…been wondering since quite some time about what to do with the dates packet lying in my fridge and now i know. thanks for this wonderful recipe… great pics… do drop by 🙂
Beena, Thanks for reading & commenting. I hope your date truffles turned out. All the best, Holly
Hi Holly……..its my 1st time here…….such a wonderful & healthy truffles……i’ll definitely try this out….one quick question…..can we add walnuts instead of pistachios??
Hi Sumaiya, Thanks for stopping by. Regarding using walnuts, yes, you can definitely substitute walnuts for pistachios. That is another way to make these date truffles. Enjoy & Happy Ramadan!
Oh my what a lovely site, this is my first time visiting while looking on Pinterest for some Eid inspirations. I live in Muscat, Oman and tomorrow I will make some of the truffles and take them with us to the village to celebrate Eid. thanks and Eid Mubarak.
Thank you so much for stopping by and for you lovely comment. I hope the recipe works out for you. Wishing you a happy Eid!