Date Recipe Inspo for Fall Baking
Fall is here ... and in the air (at least as it relates to Scottsdale)! So why not get inspired by some delicious fall flavors to whip up some tasty seasonal treats? Sphinx shares some date-filled desserts that are just right for fall.
Trending date bark — May this scrumptious trend never end! Date bark is so easy and versatile, so bakers (and non-bakers, as there is no need to turn on the oven for these recipes) can get as creative and seasonal as they wish. Since date bark doesn’t require any baking, it can be put together in a jiff.
Banana Date Bark
Banana-plus-chocolate lovers can enjoy a banana date bark that starts with a layer of sliced bananas. Then, spread nut butter on top, add chopped dates and top with melted chocolate and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Then freeze until its firm. Break up to serve and eat.
Snickers-Inspired Date Bark
Form the bottom layer by flattening together a layer of pitted juicy dates. Then drizzle nut or seed butter of choice, top with chopped peanuts (or nut of choice) and cover with melted milk or dark chocolate chips mixed with a teaspoon of coconut oil (optional). Finally, top with flaky sea salt and put in the refrigerator or freezer to firm.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Date Bark
Once again, use juicy pitted dates as the base of this bark. Then spread a no- bake chocolate chip cookie dough over the date layer. For the dough, combine:
- 1 ½ c. almond flour
- ¼ c. melted coconut oil
- ¼ c. pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp. vanilla ¾
- c. mini chocolate chips
Spread this mix over the date layer, then pour melted chocolate over top and sprinkle with more mini chocolate chips. Refrigerate or freeze until chocolate sets.
Pumpkin Butter Date Bark
Love it or hate it, pumpkin spice is the “it” flavor of the season. This date bark incorporates pumpkin in the “butter” of choice to give it a seasonal flare. Flatten dates to create the bark base. Then combine the following to create a pumpkin spice butter:
- ½ c. 100% pumpkin puree
- ½ c. almond butter (or nut or seed butter of choice)
- 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
- 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Combine these ingredients, then spread over the date layer. Then top with melted chocolate (bakers can add a teaspoon of coconut oil in the melted chocolate if they choose). Sprinkle with roasted pepitas and a bit of flaky sea salt. Then freeze until firm.
While date bark is so fun to make, it’s not the only trend for fall. Date bars are another simple, and often no-bake, approach to fall desserts. In fact, bars can easily be made vegan as well. When whipping up date bars, think apple, cinnamon and, yes, more pumpkin spice! Date bars are ideal for incorporating another fall dessert favorite – pecans!
Depending on the recipe, date bars can be made into date balls, too. These are great for drizzling with chocolate or nuts butters and rolling in crushed nuts, chopped dried fruit or other delicious toppings.
Whether whipping up bark, bars or balls this fall season, don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors or substitutions. Dates, while packed with flavor, can easily complement various autumn ingredients.