Filled Date Appetizers

The natural sweetness of these Filled Date Appetizers meets a symphony of flavours to create a perfect treat for any occasion. They are a super food and a sunnah food with many benefits. Filled dates are not only a nutritious snack but also an elegant addition to your dessert table or a unique appetizer option for Ramadan, Iftaars and celebrations. So, today we will explore some creative and mouthwatering ideas to elevate your date experience.

Cream Cheese Frosting & Date Heaven

If you are a lover of cream cheese frosting, you will love this combo. Drizzle a bit of chocolate or a sprinkle of chopped nuts on top for a burst of colour and texture.

Dates Filled with Cream Cheese & Cucumber

For a refreshing and light option, stuff dates with cucumber slices and cream cheese. The crispness of cucumber provides a delightful contrast to the chewy texture of dates.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) combined cucumbers with ripe dates saying:

The heat of the latter is reduced by the coolness of the former.

[BUKHARI, IBN DAWOOD, MUSLIM AND IBN- MAJAH]

Rubay bint Mu’awwidh ibn Afraa (RAA) said:

I took a plate of fresh dates and small cucumbers to the Messenger. He gave me a handful of jewellery or a handful of gold.

(AL-TIRMIDHI)

Filling dates with velvety cream cheese and cucumber might sound strange to people who don’t like to mix sweet with savoury. However, it is a combination that our blessed prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ate. If you give them a try, you may find the creamy texture perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the date. For an extra twist, sprinkle a bit of blackseed on top.

Nut Butter Bliss

Transform your dates into a powerhouse of energy by filling them with your favourite nut butter—be it almond, peanut, or cashew. This combination not only satisfies your sweet cravings but also provides a healthy dose of protein and good fats.

Whipped Fresh Cream Dates

Indulge in sheer luxury by filling dates with freshly whipped cream. The airy, velvety cream complements the sweetness of dates, creating a dessert-like experience. Garnish with a sliver of dark chocolate or a sprinkle of cocoa powder for an extra touch of sophistication.

Nutty Crunchy Dates

Elevate your stuffed dates with a generous filling of whole nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans. The combination of chewy dates and crunchy nuts offers a delightful contrast of textures, making each bite a memorable experience.

Chocolate & Nut Delights

To take the above nutty crunchy dates to the next level, why not close the nuts completely into the date and dip them into melted chocolate? I promise you, your tastebuds will thank you for it!

Tropical Paradise Coconut Dates

Take your taste buds on a vacation by filling dates with shredded coconut. The tropical sweetness of coconut adds a layer of complexity to the flavour profile, turning your stuffed dates into a mini tropical paradise.

Coloured Almond Paste Filled Dates

Marzipan is a confection consisting primarily of sugar, honey, and almond meal, sometimes augmented with almond oil or extract. It is often made into sweets; common uses are chocolate-covered marzipan. Almond paste is very much like marzipan but it only uses honey, so it’s not as sweet as marzipan. It’s easily mouldable and coloured to add a burst of colour and flavour to confectionaries, so why not add them to your dates?

Conclusion

Whether you’re hosting a gathering, craving a sweet snack, or looking for an impressive appetizer, filled dates offer a versatile canvas for creativity. Experiment with different fillings, textures, and flavours to find your perfect combination. These bite-sized delights are not only delicious but also provide a healthy alternative to traditional sweets. They are a sunnah food that our blessed Prophet Muhammad PBUH recommended and frequently emphasised on their health benefits. So don’t forget to prepare and enjoy the delicious benefits of filled dates at your next celebration!

Cream Filled Dates for Occasions

Here is a fantastically easy way to dress up your dates to look super posh for your family & guests. With Ramadan around the corner now, there's no doubt that we will all be stocking up our homes with a generous amount of dates for Iftaar. Having said that though, Ramadan isn't the only occasion you can present dates in this way. They can also be suitable to use during Weddings or when welcoming loved ones back from Hajj or Umrah.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

• Your favourite type of dates
• Some mini cupcake cases
• Whipped double cream sweetened with a little sugar
• Cake sprinkles of your choice
• Grated dark & white chocolate
• whole & chopped Variety of your preferred Nuts

Instructions

• Take all the bones out of your dates by slitting them down with a knife from one side.
• Open them slightly but be careful not to bend them to breaking point.
• Pipe out the whipped cream through the middle of each date until reasonably filled out.
• Gently place onto a mini cupcake case.
• Decorate as you please. It's that simple! Let us know how it comes along and post us your comments, we look forward to hearing from you.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Arabic

Keyword: cream cake, dates, nuts, sweets