Indulge in a delightful combination of sweet and savory with this cheese date recipe. Perfect for a quick snack or an elegant appetizer, these stuffed dates are sure to impress your guests. The creamy vegan cheese pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the dates, while the optional chopped nuts add a satisfying crunch.
If you're not familiar with vegan cream cheese, it's a dairy-free alternative to traditional cream cheese, often made from nuts or soy. You can find it in the refrigerated section of most supermarkets, usually near other vegan or dairy-free products. Pitted dates are typically available in the dried fruit section, and you can choose from a variety of nuts to sprinkle on top, such as almonds, walnuts, or pistachios.
Ingredients For Cheese Date Recipe
Dates: Sweet, chewy fruits that are often dried and pitted for convenience.
Vegan cream cheese: A dairy-free alternative to traditional cream cheese, made from nuts or soy.
Chopped nuts: Optional topping that adds a crunchy texture and additional flavor.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When slicing the dates, use a sharp knife to ensure clean cuts and avoid squishing the fruit. This will make it easier to fill them with the vegan cream cheese and give a more polished presentation.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Pitted dates - Substitute with dried figs: Dried figs have a similar sweetness and chewy texture, making them a great alternative to dates.
Vegan cream cheese - Substitute with cashew cheese: Cashew cheese provides a creamy texture and rich flavor, similar to vegan cream cheese.
Chopped nuts - Substitute with seeds: Seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds offer a similar crunch and nutritional benefits as chopped nuts.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
To keep your Cheese Date Recipe fresh, store them in an airtight container. This will help maintain their delightful texture and prevent them from drying out.
Place the container in the refrigerator. These dates filled with vegan cream cheese can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring they stay delicious and ready to enjoy.
If you plan to enjoy them later, consider freezing. Lay the dates on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they don't touch each other. This prevents them from sticking together.
Once the dates are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Label the container with the date to keep track of their freshness.
When you're ready to indulge, simply remove the desired number of dates from the freezer. Allow them to thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours or at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
For an extra touch of freshness, sprinkle some freshly chopped nuts on top just before serving, especially if you opted out of adding them initially. This will add a delightful crunch to your creamy, sweet treat.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cheese date recipe on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Warm them for about 5-7 minutes until the vegan cream cheese is slightly melty and the dates are heated through.
If you prefer a quicker method, use a microwave. Arrange the cheese date recipe on a microwave-safe plate. Heat them on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Check to ensure they are warmed to your liking, but be cautious not to overheat, as the vegan cream cheese can become too runny.
For a more gourmet touch, use a toaster oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and place the cheese date recipe on the rack. Toast for about 5 minutes, keeping an eye on them to prevent burning.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the cheese date recipe in the basket in a single layer. Heat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even warming.
For a stovetop method, use a non-stick skillet over low heat. Place the cheese date recipe in the skillet and cover with a lid. Warm them for about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure they heat evenly without burning.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Knife: A sharp knife is essential for slicing the dates lengthwise to remove the pits.
Cutting board: Use a cutting board to safely slice the dates and avoid damaging your countertop.
Spoon: A small spoon is needed to fill each date with vegan cream cheese.
Bowl: A bowl can be used to hold the chopped nuts if you choose to sprinkle them on top.
Refrigerator: If you prefer to chill the dates before serving, a refrigerator will be necessary.
Serving plate: Arrange the filled dates on a serving plate for presentation.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare the dates: Slice and pit all dates in advance to streamline the process.
Pre-mix the cream cheese: Soften and mix the vegan cream cheese ahead of time for easy filling.
Use a piping bag: Fill a piping bag with vegan cream cheese for quick and neat filling.
Chop nuts in bulk: If using chopped nuts, prepare them in bulk and store for future use.
Chill before serving: Prepare the dates in advance and chill them, so they are ready to serve when needed.
Cheese Date Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 pieces Dates pitted
- ½ cup Vegan cream cheese
- ¼ cup Chopped nuts optional
Instructions
- 1. Slice the dates lengthwise and remove the pits.
- 2. Fill each date with a small spoonful of vegan cream cheese.
- 3. Optionally, sprinkle chopped nuts on top of the cream cheese.
- 4. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts for This Dish
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