Dates

Dates are the fruit of a date palm which is native to the Middle East. There are many varieties of dates with the most common being Deglet Noir and the Medjool.

Dates vary in size from as small as an inch up to 2 1/2 inches. The date flesh is soft and sweet and can be eaten fresh or dried or used in sweet desserts like breads, cakes and cookies.  See the recipes below including wonderful date bars!  For more equivalents check out the dates, pitted entry in our dictionary.

You can most types of dates interchangeably.  If you don't have or don't wish to use dates, you can substitute equal amounts of:

• Dried figs
• OR - Dried raisins
• OR - Dried cranberries (craisins)
• OR - Dried cherries
• OR - to really vary the flavor use dried apricots