Date Roll Recipes

MY GRANDMOTHER'S DATE NUT ROLL

Steps:

• 1. Chop dates. (Do not buy or use dates that are already chopped.)
• 2. Combine sugar, milk, and dates in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture reaches soft ball 234 degrees.
• 3. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and nuts. Stir until candy starts to thicken. Divide candy in half, by shaping it into logs on two damp tea towels. roll and shape into 10"X2" logs. Let cool. Slice to serve.

GRAMMA'S DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, combine oats, pastry flour, salt, 1 cup brown sugar, and baking soda. Mix in the butter until crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch square baking pan.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the dates, water, and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Bring to a boil, and cook until thickened. Stir in lemon juice, and remove from heat. Spread the filling over the base, and pat the remaining crumb mixture on top.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in preheated oven, or until top is lightly toasted. Cool before cutting into squares.

COCONUT DATE ROLLS

Steps:

• Chop coconut on large mat or cutting board and set aside.
• Place almonds into food processor. Add the dates on top. Whir in the food processor until these form a paste. You will still see some crumbs or large pieces of almond - this is OK.
• Once paste is mixed it will start to form a ball. Remove from food processor and roll into 2" logs or balls.
• Roll and press thru chopped coconut. While rolling your hands may become sticky due to the sugar in the dates - just rinse your hands with cold water and you will be able to handle the mixture easily again.
• Serve chilled. Store in fridge up to 2 weeks.
• Prep time is chopping coconut and processing paste. Cooking time is rolling.

SESAME DATE ROLLS

Steps:

• Place dates in a small bowl and completely cover with hot water. Allow to soak until softened, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain, but reserve soaking liquid.
• Combine soaked dates, 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, walnuts, almonds, coconut, coconut oil, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of a large food processor. Pulse several times until mixture comes together to form a soft "dough," scraping down the sides as necessary. If mixture is too dry, add in some of the reserved soaking liquid, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
• Turn out dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Roll into a 10-inch long by 1 1/2-inch wide log using lightly greased hands. Sprinkle remaining toasted sesame seeds evenly over the log on all sides, pressing them in gently. Wrap the log in parchment paper, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 to 2 hours.
• Remove log from fridge, and cut into about sixteen 1/2-inch thick rounds. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

DATE NUT ROLL

Steps:

• Mix the sugar and vanilla in a medium saucepan on medium heat.
• Boil gently until mixture reaches 240 degrees.
• Take off the heat, and add rest of ingredients, stir well.
• The mixture will thicken as it cools.
• Pour onto dampened cloth or waxed paper forming a log.
• Allow to cool or refrigerate.
• If desired, coat with chopped nuts or powdered sugar and slice.