Natural sweetener recipe for date syrup that is cheap, healthy and full of good stuff. Date syrup uses are any recipes that call for no refined sugar and cakes like a quinoa chocolate cake. Benefits of date syrup are it contains fibre, inexpensive to make, high in antioxidants and is an excellent natural sweetener.

You don’t have to use the expensive majool dates in this. I’m just using standard dates although you want to use pure dates without any added sugar, oil or preservatives. I’m not sure why some dates have added sugar and oil – I think it’s to make them softer and not stick together, but don’t use them for this. Suitable for paleo, raw vegan and no added sugar diets.

It’s very important to check that the dates have all been pitted. Even if they are pitted dates it’s still worth having a squeeze to ensure. As the pits are so hard just one blended will ruin the date syrup.

Natural Sweetener Date Syrup Video Recipe

Play on YouTube or no music video recipe.

This is the liquid sweetener I usually use because it’s inexpensive, has fibre and contains vitamins. Maple syrup is great and looks great in recipes as it’s clear but it’s very expensive. This date syrup I believe is healthier as it’s whole fruit with fibre.

Part of a lemon is used in this, a quarter pealed and a square of lemon rind. This helps to balance out the flavour – just a tiny amount of rind adds a tiny bitter taste gives a deeper flavour. I add the lemon rather than just the juice to add in all the beneficial pith and fibre.

Limes can be used instead in this recipe if you prefer. Just make sure to get untreated and unwaxed citrus fruit. Don’t worry if there is a pip in the lemon – they are perfectly safe to eat.

This syrup can be poured but it’s better spooned as it’s quite thick. I do like a thicker sweetener as you do use less. Maple syrup is so runny it’s easy to pour too much.

I store date syrup in old mustard jars with lids in the fridge. With the natural date sugars and the lemon juice, it does keep for a few weeks. But always smell before using and you will be able to tell if it’s still good.

The term sweetener people usually associate with artificial sweeteners. I’m calling this sweetener to help to reclaim this word from negative connotations. In any of my recipes when I say liquid sweetener I mean something like this or maple syrup.

Dates originate somewhere between Egypt and Mesopotamia. A ripe date is 80% sugar but it’s packed with other good stuff including potassium, fibre and protein. The pits or seeds from dates can be used to make soap and ground to make a coffee alternative.

This date syrup is perfect on healthy protein pancakes.