Easiest DIY sweetener: Date Syrup and Date Paste

SO EASY. Replace expensive maple syrup or artificial sweeteners with this healthier option. 

If you're not confident, give it a try with a small portion first. Then adjust the amount for your personal use.

DIY DATE SYRUP

Soak together, covered, for at least an hour or two:

• 1 part dates
• 1 part boiling water

After soaking, mash the dates in the water by hand or with a potato masher. (You can leave the pits in if you're mashing by hand. If you use a masher, remove the pits before mashing so they don't break = adds bitter taste.)

Set a large piece of cheesecloth over a bowl. Pour the dates and soaking water through the cheesecloth. 

Wring as much liquid into the bowl as possible. (You can add a little boiling water to loosen the dates if they stick to the cheesecloth.)

Pour the strained mixture into a heavy-bottomed cooking pot. Cook on medium heat for 20-40 minutes until it reduces to half the volume. Pour into a serving or storage container.

• Use immediately
• OR store on the counter for 3-4 days
• OR refrigerate for weeks
• OR freeze for a few months

*Use the leftover date pulp instead of jam/marmalade OR add it to smoothies.

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VARIATION: Date Paste. This makes a date spread or jam. It can also be used as a baking ingredient or mixed into smoothies.

DIY DATE PASTE

Soak together, covered, for at least 1-2 hours:

• 1 part dates
• 3/4 part boiling water

Blend the soaked dates with a hand blender, in a regular blender, or mash throughly by hand.

Pour the mashed dates mixture into a heavy pot. Cook on medium heat for 20-40 minutes to reduce the mix to a spreading consistency. Stir occasionally. (Do not overcook or burn. It thickens slightly when it cools.)

Store as above. (Below, served with Overnight Oats or Vegan Oatmeal Apple Bars, a separate post.)

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Rating: 5/5

Flavor: sweet

Calories: 60/tablespoon

Time to prepare: 2.5 hours; hands on: 5 min plus stirring

Tea: chai

At long last ... another post. Oatmeal Apple Bars

I find this recipe for Overnight Oats:

• 1 part rolled oats
• 1 part plant-based milk
• 1/2 -1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• (optional: 2-4 T maple syrup)
• 1 apple, chopped

Mix, cover, and store overnight in the fridge. Pull it out for breakfast. Make a few batches for later in the week?

OK - that's good. But I want something warm. Here's my modification*:

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Baked Oatmeal Apple Bars

*Preheat the oven to 350oF/180oC. Prepare a non-stick pan or line a pan with parchment paper. (I used a 7"x7" glass baking dish.)

Mix together:

• 1 c rolled oats
• 1 c plant-based milk
• 1 chopped apple (up to you if you peel it - I didn't)

*Let soak for an hour or two. (Optional: then, use a hand blender to blend halfway to a finer texture.)

Stir in:

• 1/2 tsp vanilla, *baking powder, and cinnamon
• a sprinkle of *baking soda (and salt, if you want)

*Pour into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes. The top should be firm but the center will still be soft slightly damp. Cool a bit and enjoy. OR cover and refrigerate for later.

OPTIONAL: spoon 1-2 T date syrup on top if it's not sweet enough for you. (Recipe in another post.)

Rating: 4/5

Flavor: slightly sweet

Calories: (total cake) 350 (+ 60 / T of date syrup)

Time to prepare: 15 minutes plus 45 min cooking time, cooling

Tea: chai or black