Valentine’s Day was tough enough when it was just you and a true love to plan for. These days you need lots of love to spread around — for the office luncheon, for the class party, for “gal pal” gatherings and just as a special family treat. Lucky for you we have a roster of easy and yummy options — all featuring plenty of sweet dates to go around!
Cinnamon Date Coffee Cake
Recipe Name: Cinnamon Date Coffee Cake Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 8 servings
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 1½ cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, divided and softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds, divided
- ¼ cup chopped dates
- Powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8-inch cake pan and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together 1½ cups of the flour along with the baking powder and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream ½ cup of the butter, the granulated sugar and extract. Add the egg and blend well. Alternately, add the flour mixture and the milk, beating well after each addition.
- Dollop half of the batter into the prepared pan, then spread smooth with a spatula. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, melt the remaining butter on low power for 20 seconds in the microwave. Add the brown sugar, remaining flour, cinnamon, half of the nuts and the dates. Stir well and sprinkle evenly over the batter in the pan. Only take to within a half-inch of the pan edge. Dollop the remaining batter over the filling and spread smooth with a spatula. Top with the remaining nuts.
- Bake 35–45 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with a dusting of powdered sugar for garnish.
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Dried Fruit Granola
Recipe Name: Dried Fruit Granola Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 9½ cups
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 5 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup pecans, cashews or walnuts
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup chopped dates
- ½ cup golden raisins
- ½ cup dried cranberries or cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a large-rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper (or 2 smaller pans) and set aside.
- Place the butter and syrup in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the butter is melted and the mixture is combined.
- Meanwhile, in an extra-large bowl, stir together the oats; pecans, cashews or walnuts; almonds; sugar; orange zest; cinnamon; and nutmeg. Drizzle the butter mixture over the oat mixture, stirring well. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread evenly in the pan. Bake 35–37 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. When golden-brown, remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack.
- Meanwhile, stir together the dates, raisins and cranberries or cherries in a large mixing bowl. Break apart the cooled granola and stir together with the dried fruits. Store in airtight containers at room temperature.
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Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Recipe Name: Bacon-Wrapped Dates Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 8–10 servings
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 24 whole dates
- 12 slices thick cut bacon, cut in half
Instructions
- Place 24 toothpicks in water to soak for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the tips off each end of the dates. Insert the flat end of a skewer into the date until it pushes out the pit. Repeat with each date and discard the pits.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high with the lid closed for 10 minutes. Lightly brush the grate with oil. Wrap each date with a cut slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on the grill, close the lid and grill 4 minutes per side or until the bacon has browned. Serve warm.
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Dried Fruit Bourbon Balls
Recipe Name: Dried Fruit Bourbon Balls Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: about 4 dozen
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 4 ounces whole blanched almonds
- 4 ounces pecan halves
- 1 cup cooked millet
- Zest of 1 orange, finely minced
- 4 ounces currants
- 4 ounces pitted dates
- 4 ounces golden raisins
- 4 ounces dried apricots
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 6 ounces chopped pecans
Instructions
- Place the whole almonds and pecan halves in a food processor and finely mince. Transfer to a mixing bowl and combine with the millet and zest. Set aside.
- Lightly spray the food processor blades with cooking spray. Add the currants, dates, raisins and apricots, pulsing to chop. Add the bourbon and millet mixture and process until the mixture comes together in a ball.
- Shape into walnut-sized balls and roll in the chopped pecans. Allow to meld in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, then transfer to the refrigerator where they will keep for up to 3 months.
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Chilled Date Cake
Recipe Name: Chilled Date Cake Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 6 servings
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 3 eggs, separated
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, divided
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans
- 1 cup chopped dates
- ½ pint heavy cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites at high speed until stiff. Set aside.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks, granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon of the extract for 2 minutes, until thick. Stir in the flour and salt, blending well. Add the pecans and dates, then fold in the egg whites. Transfer to the prepared pan and bake 30 minutes or until the surface springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then invert onto a serving plate.
- Whip the cream at high speed of an electric mixer, adding the powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time. Add the remaining extract. Spread over the top of the cake, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Serve cold.
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Baby Spinach and Date Salad
Recipe Name: Baby Spinach and Date Salad Prep Time: Cook Time: Total Time: Yield: Serving: Yield: 4 servings
Author: Tammy Algood
Ingredients
- 3 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup chopped pitted dates
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place the spinach in a serving bowl and set aside. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the dates, orange juice, lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Cover and shake well to emulsify. Pour over the spinach and toss to evenly coat. Serve immediately.
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