Date Honey
There's a reason why dates are mentioned in the Bible. You'll see what I mean after you try this recipe. It's an unbelievable treat that will make your mouth dance with delight! Date Honey is featured in many Ultimate Daniel Fast recipes, so you'll definitely want make a batch when you begin your three-week journey.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates (about 6-8 Medjool or 18-20 Deglet Noor)
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Pour dates and water into a small saucepan, making sure dates are completely covered (add additional water if necessary). Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer 45-60 minutes or until dates are very soft and broken down. Remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly for about 15 minutes. Pour mixture (including liquid) into a blender or food processor and puree until completely smooth. Sprinkle in cinnamon and stir well. Store in a sealed container in refrigerator.
- Yield: 12 servings (serving size: about 1 tablespoon)
Notes
- Following are three of the most popular dates: a) Medjool - largest, sweetest date that is soft and tender, 2) Deglet Noor - semi-dry chewy "bread" date with a nutty flavor; not as sweet as other dates; smaller than the Medjool, and 3) Pakistani - semi-dry date that is very similar to the Deglet Noor, but is slightly smaller.
- Toppings: Finely chopped pecans or walnuts and unsweetened shredded coconut.
- Spread Date Honey on one side of each apple slice. Serve as is, or press into chopped pecans or shredded coconut or both.
- You may also use sliced bananas or pears.
This year is the third year my family and I did the Daniel Fast and we tried the Date Honey recipe for the first time last year and we loved it. Now we use it regularly even when we are not fasting. We recently did a granola recipe (http://www.ladynod.com/lady-nods-granola/) using it.
Thanks so much for your feedback! So glad you liked the Date Honey. May God bless you as you continue to seek Him!
I want to make this during the fast but I’m getting conflicting info regarding the use of date honey. Straight from Daniel-fast.com …
“No sweeteners are allowed on the Daniel Fast. This is based on Daniel’s fast recorded in Daniel 10 where he ate no meat and consumed no precious foods. So even though honey and date honey are natural and free of chemicals, they would be considered a “precious food” and therefore not allowed during the Daniel Fast”
http://daniel-fast.com/smart_faq/honey-and-date-honey/
So what’s the final verdict??
Hi, Anthony! Your question is a good one. My Date Honey recipe does not contain added sugar, so it’s Daniel Fast friendly. The only ingredients are dates, water, and cinnamon. The “honey” part can be deceiving, so I understand your confusion. Regular honey is not allowed on the fast because it IS an added sugar. Since a date is a fruit and all fruits are allowed, you can have my Date Honey on the Daniel Fast.
Do you leave the Pitts in the dates. I find that they don’t grind well . How long do you puree them? And is it alright to take them out. By the way the Date Honey is delicious.
Hi, Michele! No, you remove the pits.
You can puree the dates to the consistency you desire. Some people like the Date Honey really smooth, and others prefer it a little “chunky.” I’m glad you’re enjoying the Date Honey! May God bless you abundantly as you seek Him!
I mixed the date honey with homemade almond butter and it is fabulous! It tastes amazing on top of the baked oatmeal. Last week I made the oatmeal and date honey. They were both pretty good. This week I decided to try the almond butter, which I was not a huge fan of. So I decided to mix my leftover date honey with the almond butter, and it turned out so good! A must try!
Hi, Alauna! Thanks for your comments. Yes, almond butter and Date Honey are a wonderful combination. I like to put them both on bananas and apples.
I can’t stop eating it by itself! YUMMY!
Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
Yes, it’s pretty tasty! But, remember, to use self-control. This is a FAST after all!
ha ha
Date honey so good, thank you
You’re welcome!
I noticed in a previous comment someone mentioned using juice, are we allowed to have juice on this fast? I was told only if it was hand made or fresh squeezed!? I thought store bought 100% juice was ok, but now I’m being told no? What are your thoughts…
The recommended beverage on the Daniel Fast is water. You should drink it most of the time. Fruit juices (100%, unsweetened – read ingredients to make sure) CAN be used, such to flavor recipes and occasionally as a drink. But I don’t recommend drinking a lot of fruit juice, although having it fresh from an extractor is better and more nutritious than store-bought juice. Water is very important on the fast, so you don’t ever want to compromise your water intake by drinking too much juice. I hope this explanation makes sense!
what are dates and where’s the best place to find them???
Hi, Lauren! A date is the fruit of a date palm tree. Dates are very sweet, but they do offer many nutritional benefits (such as being high in fiber). You can get them fresh or dried. All of my recipes are for dried dates. Unfortunately, we don’t have fresh dates where I live in the United States. You can find dried dates at some grocery stores and health food stores. Check the ingredients, though, to make sure the dates aren’t dusted or rolled in sugar. Natural Delights is a brand that use often: http://shop.naturaldelights.com/.
Hi Kristen, Thanks for this great resource. We are 3 friends doing the Daniel fast and we have been blessed by the abundance of recipes and great ideas. It truly helps us to focus on GOD and not on the food. Everything I’ve tried so far has been delicious.
Keep on being a blessing!
Thank you so much for your comments! I’m glad you are doing the Daniel Fast and have friends doing it with you. That will help keep you motivated and on track. Plus, you have built-in accountability!
May the Lord strengthen you with His power and fill you with His peace as you seek Him.
Hi Kristen! This is my second time doing the Daniel fast and I’ve branched out even more to try more of your recipes! Pretty much everything I try has been very good! Thanks again for being such a blessing! I tried the date honey today for the first time and it was amazing!!! Thank you so much for that! My next thing to try is the strawberry banana smoothie with tofu in it. I’m a little nervous about tofu, but you haven’t steered me wrong.
I praise God for you and your ministry! I plan on buying your book soon!
Hi, Sarah! Thanks for your feedback. I’m glad you are being brave and trying new foods! May the Lord continue to strengthen you as you seek Him through prayer and fasting!
Could you add in the notes all the recipes you use date honey for? It would be super useful. Thanks.
That’s a great suggestion! You can always type in “Date Honey” in the search bar toward the top of my page for now. It will take some time to list all the recipes that contain Date Honey as an ingredient. Thanks for your suggestion!
Love, love, love the date honey! It has completely transformed our plain oatmeal into something I enjoy. We all enjoy some apple slices dipped in date honey for a snack. I wish they were less expensive but they are definitely God’s goodness! Thanks for your efforts and sharing of recipes – it would be a really boring 40 days without it!
I’m so glad you like it! Thanks for your positive feedback. May the Lord fill you with His power and peace as you fast and pray!
The date honey turned out GREAT, thank you so much for your recipes and daily messages. This is my first time doing the Daniel Fast and I have learned so much from your website. I plan to buy the book to have a heads up the next time around. Bless you!
Wonderful! You’re very welcome. I’m thankful you participated in the Daniel Fast this January, and I do hope you get the book. I pull it out all the time for recipes and definitely every time I do the fast. May the Lord continue to pour out His favor on your life as you trust in Him!
Hi, do you have to cover the saucepan while the dates are simmering???
No. You don’t need to cover them. Thanks for your question! Enjoy the Date Honey.
I love your site and all the recipes I have tried! I kept seeing you mention Date honey so I decided to give it a try! I am so glad I did, and I can see this becoming part of my regular diet! You can’t beat the sweetness with no added sugar! Its a win win. I also made your black bean pumpkin soup and my 2 yr old and I devoured it!
Hannah, I’m so glad you made the Date Honey. It’s a game changer!
Yes, it’s a much better way to sweeten foods than using regular sugar. Thanks for your comments!
Hello, Kristen! I discovered your site when searching for info on the Daniel fast. I’m a diabetic and this is my first time doing it. I told my husband that I was doing it and he decided to join me. Your daily videos have been encouraging!
Okay, I made the date honey and it is great. I love oatmeal with butter, milk, and sugar. Well, we’ve replaced these 3 ingredients with raisins and date honey and we actually like it. Retraining my taste buds! Along with the spiritual benefits of the fast, my sugars have gone down. My fasting yesterday was 135; a two weeks ago it would be 350 or more. The Daniel fast is forcing me to make better food decisions. Self denial is good spiritually and naturally!
Blessings to you and yours! Thank you for allowing God to use you!
Dee, thank you for taking the time to write! Yes, the Daniel Fast is a great way to nourish your body and soul! I love the fact that your numbers are already going down in this short of time. That’s wonderful! Keep up the good work. I know God is pleased that you’re honoring Him by making healthy choices with your eating. I pray He’ll continue to bless you and your husband as you seek Him!
I am trying to make a favorite recipe Daniel Fast approved. The only hiccup is it calls for honey. In this recipe, honey is meant to be the “glue” holding the rest of the natural goodness together. Do you think this date honey would be a good substitute?
Yes, Erin, I think Date Honey would work just fine! Let me know how it comes out.
I could not do the tofu but I use the other ingredients. Date honey in the oatmeal is OK. I’m trying.
What about date sugar, coconut sugar, and brown rice syrup? Date sugar is just dehydrated, granulated dates, and coconut sugar is the same concept with coconut. Brown rice syrup only has brown rice and water. Though these are all natural, so are honey and agave, and those are not allowed. What are your thoughts?
Added sugars are not a part of the Daniel Fast, even “natural” choices such as honey, agave nectar, etc. However, fruit is allowed. Since a date is a fruit, date sugar is acceptable. Brown rice syrup would be considered as added sugar and shouldn’t be used. Sometimes there are foods that aren’t as clear cut, and you have to decide whether or not to include them on your fast. God sees your heart. He wants you to trust Him to guide you with the food guidelines. Someone else’s fast may look a little different than yours because he or she has slightly different convictions about what to eat and what not to eat. And, that’s ok. This fast is more about seeking God’s face through prayer than what you put into your mouth. I hope that helps!
Hi, I love your site! I am just starting this fast and am so amazed at all of the foods to eat. It really doesn’t feel like a fast. When I first read the rules, I didn’t realize we could have dates because I thought they were too sweet. Now reading this, I am blown away. Could this be true? We can have dates and still be following this beautiful, blessed fast? I am so grateful to have found you!
Hi, Danielle! Yes, you can have dates. Any fruit – even unsweetened dried fruit – is allowed. You still have to use self-control in portion sizes, though.
Just making a batch of date honey! Can it be kept in the freezer? If so, for how long? God bless you!
Yes, you should be able to freeze it. I’m not sure how long it will keep, though, because I’ve never tried to freeze Date Honey. We always eat it up immediately! I’d guess, though, that you could store it up to six months without any problem.
Question: do you simmer the dates covered? I found that I had to keep adding liquid and there’s not much left to put in the food processor. Thanks so much!!
How long will date honey last in the refrigerator? Our family makes large batches, and we were wondering if anyone knows the shelf life. Thanks for any information you may contribute to our dilemma.
Hi, Christy! Date Honey should last at least a week in the refrigerator. I think the most I’ve ever kept it was two weeks. It doesn’t usually last long at our house!
YUMMY!
I am on day 3 of my 1st fast. The1st 2 days were rough with headaches. Today is much better. I’m hardly missing meat at all which surprises me. My question is: do you cover the pot while the dates are boiling? I am but wasn’t for sure if I should.
Loving all the recipes…thank you and God bless
You’ve made it through the hardest part (physically, anyway). Keep going strong! When making the Date Honey, you don’t need to cover the pot. May God continue to strengthen you as you seek Him!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe and awesome alternative. How long will this stay fresh in the fridge in a sealed/covered container?
You’re welcome! It should be good for 1-2 weeks (if it lasts that long!).
I just made & tasted this…I never knew Date could be soooo awesomely good my goodness. I cant wait to add this to my corn muffins!
Wanted to know the amount of chopped dates to use. Unable to find fresh, or dried that didn’ t have added sugar. Bless you for your wonderful recipes, this website, daily devotions and your book. All are such a blessing! God bless you!
Thanks, Catherine! I can’t say exactly because I’ve always used whole dates. Maybe someone else has used chopped and can help. I’m sorry! I just try not to do any work when I cook that I don’t HAVE to do!
Thanks for your kind words about the website and book. All glory to God!
Thank you for this recipe! It is so easy and always delicious!! I have hooked many of my friends on it, even ones not participating in the fast! This is one of my favorites from you!!
You’re welcome. So glad you (and your friends) are enjoying it.
I am currently making date honey (20 minutes to go!), but I reached a hiccup. On the Daniel Fast FAQ page (http://www.daniel-fast.com/faqs/) it says “No Date Honey” as this would be considered a “precious/pleasant food” and therefore not allowed per the Scripture regarding the fast that says, “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:2, 3.
What are your thoughts on this? This is my first Daniel Fast and I just want to be sure I am following the guidelines.
I’m not sure, but I think that particular reference might be to honey that’s made with dates and is sweetened. My recipe for Date Honey is made by boiling dates and water. There is no added sugar. Dates are fruits; therefore, they are allowed on the fast.
Your recipes call for soy, almond and coconut milk. Other than a couple of shelf stable soy milk, I cannot find any that are allowed. Which ones do you use?
I use Blue Diamond Unsweetened Almond Milk and Thai Kitchen unsweetened coconut milk.
I am making this recipe now. My daughter and I are doing the fast for the first time (so that means my son and husband are too!) and the recipes we have tried have all been really good. My daughter has been scouring the website daily for new things to try. I also have the e-book, which I love, as I can find recipes really quickly. Took your advice and planned/shopped for the first week ahead of time. It has been working very well. You are on my prayer list for this fast!
I’m almost positive you’ll like this recipe! Thanks for your comment. Good job on preparing for the fast. It certainly makes a difference. And, thank you, for praying.
May God do mighty things in your family as you seek Him!
Stumbled across your site and I’m so glad I did. I just made the date honey and it’s absolutely yummy. Granted I didn’t take time to boil the dates but put them in the processor added water and cinnamon and it still is really good. Looking forward to making the Fruit Nut Bars.
I’m thankful God led you to the website and that you’re enjoying the recipes.
This is a staple recipe during my fasts. I use it on everything: in cookies, oatmeal, cornbread, over whole wheat vegan pancakes… even stirred into some hot water with a little lemon. Delicious!
I am a diabetic and dates are high in sugar, is there a replacement I can use for Datehoney?
Yes. A good substitution is to use dried plums (prunes) instead of dates, if you are looking for a lower-glycemic option. Dates have a glycemic index of 103, compared to plums which are 29. A higher glycemic index means the food raises your blood sugar more quickly. I’m sure you already understand all this information, but I wrote it to explain to others who might be unfamiliar with the terminology. By the way, I have made this recipe with plums, and it’s almost as good as with the dates! Hope you enjoy it.
Thank you so much, I am making it today. Your book is great.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the book! You’ll love this recipe. It’s especially good with sliced apples or bananas.
Also, would you be willing to write a short review for my book on Amazon? Your input will encourage others! Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Guide-Daniel-Fast/product-reviews/031033117X/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1. Thank you!
Hi, I was wondering where you found the information about Dates having a GI of 103? When I looked Dates up on http://www.glycemicindex.com/foodSearch.php the highest GI was 62. My nutritionist always have me check that site the book The New Glucose Revolution before eating a new item. I wasn’t aware there were other studies.
Oh I also recently read that according to the May 2011 issue of “Nutrition Journal”, dates do not have an extreme effect on blood sugar because even though they are high in natural sugars, they are also low glycemic.
The 103 rating is from a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2002 (“International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2002.”). The dates were labeled as Australian dates, so I don’t know if that makes a difference. Yes, I see that dates are listed as having a 62 GI on other websites. I think it’s safe to say dates are medium to high on the indix.
hi I have a dilemma I have thus far been trying to avoid any kinds of preservatives during my fast, using fresh or dried foods instead of tinned foods. However it is impossible to buy dates that have no preservatives. I made the date honey and cereal bars before I had the presence of mind to check the package and now I don’t know whether I should eat them or not as I have gotten so far without the preservatives.
Do you have access to a health food store, such as Trader Joe’s or Whole Health? They definitely have dates without any added ingredients (such as sugar or preservatives). Sometimes regular grocery stores do as well, but you may have to search for them. As far as what to do with the food you’ve already made, maybe an example will give you some direction. When I did my first Daniel Fast, I used a salad dressing mix that I thought was Daniel Fast friendly; it was spices, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. However, at the end of the fast, I read the ingredients more carefully and noticed it contained SUGAR. I had no idea. But God knew my heart and that I wasn’t trying to cheat. He sees your heart, too. Ask Him to guide you. He cares about obedience even in the small things, BUT you don’t want to get trapped in legalism either. I hope that helps you make the decision!
Thank you! I made this only because it was an ingredient needed in another recipe, turns out it is so DELICIOUS! My 18mo old LOVES it! Had to make more
My husband and I are doing the Daniel Fast this November heading into Thanksgiving. Our church usually does the fast in January every year but I’ve been pregnant in January for the past two years so I keeping missing it. I also realized that it is so much more expensive to do the fast in January as opposed to this time of year because we’re at the end of harvest season as opposed to January when fruits and vegetables are higher priced. Thank you for your website and recipes. I love soup at this time of year in cold Ohio and you have so many soup recipes to choose from. I’m also excited about all of the breakfast ideas because I’m a Cheerios or oatmeal girl, and there are so many good alternatives for those choices as well. I will come back in November and let you know how things are going. I might even start a blog talking about my experience and such. Your site is inspiring me to really dig into this whole thing so that I can get the most out of the experience.
Crystal, that’s wonderful! Yes, you are right about this time of year being less expensive when it comes to fresh produce. I’m glad you and your husband will be doing the fast together. I pray the Lord blesses you both in BIG ways. I know He will! Also, if you don’t have a copy of my book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, I recommend getting it. You’ll have access to 21 devotions, three weeks of meal plans, shopping lists, tips on fasting, as well as 100+ recipes (some in four-color). Here is the link (you can also find it in bookstores): http://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Guide-Daniel-Fast/dp/031033117X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top.
Yes, please do check back in. I want to hear how you’re doing during the fast!
Kristen,
Thank you so much for this recipe! I just finished the Daniel Fast and your book was instrumental in helping me to enjoy fasting while not focusing so much on the food aspect. Date Honey is now a staple in my diet…I eat it instead of sugar in my oatmeal and have made it for my family and friends as well. Thank you for sharing yourself and your talents!
Michelle, you are welcome! Thank you for your kind words about the book. May the Lord continue to bless you as you seek Him!
Is any protien powders allowed?
I was thinking Pea Protien powder
Would be If mixed with coco milk.
I use it now before the fast.
This protien powder I use is also
A meal replacement drink with all
The added vit-minerals in it.
Most protein powders are not allowed, simply because they contain ingredients that are restricted (such as added sugars, whey protein, etc.). I’m not sure about pea protein. I would have to take a look at the ingredients. Coconut milk is fine to have, though.
I just made Date Honey for the first time…all I can say is YUMMMM. It’s so good. I can’t wait to bake with it.
Made the date honey last night! So sweet and good! I just had some on organic brown rice chips!!!! Great snack! Thanks for your site! Day 19 of a 21 day fast! I think I will keep eatting this way.
I used packaged dates. Unfortunately, we don’t get fresh dates in this part of the US too often!
Are these fresh dates or packaged?
Thanks for your comment! I totally agree. God gave us dates. Who needs sugar, right?
What conversion would you use for date honey instead of sugar? Thinking about converting some of the regular recipes to healthier versions after the fast. Thanks!
I think that’s a great idea! I haven’t yet calculated the conversion, so I can’t give you an exact answer. I’m sorry!
What a wonderful treat to the alternative sugar. It is truly amazing! I just love the Deglet Noor. I guess God really does know what he’s doing! Thanks for this simple recipe!
Love your comment – God does know what He is doing!
I have left batches out for hours (forgot about them, too!), and they were fine. I think you should be ok!
I was making Date Honey last night and left them cooling on the back of the stove and forgot about them until this morning. I immediately put them in the frig. Are they alright to use? I went ahead and made a fresh batch but I didn’t know if I should just throw out the ones that sat out all night. Thanks!
Yeah, right? It’s so yummy! Thanks for your comment. I’m sure your kids will love Date Honey as much as mine do!
3 words…”FAB. U. LOUS.” I cannot wait to have my kids try it!