Naturally sweet and easy to make, these no-added-sugar date cookies are perfect for the whole family’s breakfast.
After making the soft no-sugar date cookies — the kind formed into balls with a stickier dough — I decided to remake the recipe in a different, equally simple and wholesome version.
These no-added-sugar date cookies have a shortcrust-like texture: they can be rolled out with a rolling pin and cut easily, perfect if you want neat cookies that are convenient for dunking or taking along for breakfast.
The idea came from her again, my little niece, for whom it is recommended to avoid sugar in the early years. Instead of sugar I used blended dates once more, which make the dough naturally sweet and delicious.
The result? Soft, fragrant cookies so tasty that I even had them for breakfast this morning… and the whole family liked them.
The dough is easily prepared in a food processor, using just a splash of warm water to blend the dates, then finished by hand on the work surface. After a short rest in the refrigerator, it is rolled, cut and baked in the oven until golden.
A simple, sugar-free recipe, also perfect for little ones.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 36 cookies
- Cooking methods: Electric oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 86.15 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 14.20 (g) of which sugars 3.86 (g)
- Proteins 1.76 (g)
- Fat 2.61 (g) of which saturated 1.60 (g)of which unsaturated 0.91 (g)
- Fibers 0.73 (g)
- Sodium 2.92 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 27 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 7 oz (about 1 1/4 cups) pitted dates
- 1/3 cup warm water (warm)
- 1 egg
- 3 1/2 cups (all-purpose) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cornstarch (cornstarch) (about 50 g)
- 7 tbsp butter (soft)
- 1 tsp baking powder (level)
Tools
- 1 Food processor
Procedure
Preparing these no-added-sugar date cookies is really simple and the dough comes together in minutes with a food processor.
1 Place the pitted dates in the food processor and add the warm water. Blend until you obtain a smooth, homogeneous cream.
2 Add the egg and the soft butter (in pieces), then blend again to fully combine the mixture.
3 Add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch and baking powder, then run the processor until you get a compact dough.
4 Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and quickly work it by hand until you form a smooth ball.
5 Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
6 Roll the dough out with a rolling pin on a floured surface to a thickness of about 3/16 inch (approximately 0.2 in).
7 Cut the cookies into rectangles with a pastry wheel and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8 Bake in a conventional oven at 356°F for about 15 minutes, until lightly golden.
9 Let cool completely before enjoying.
Notes and tips
These no-added-sugar date cookies are simple and wholesome, naturally sweet and perfect for the whole family’s breakfast. Soft and fragrant, they always disappear quickly and are much loved by little ones too.
If the dough turns out slightly soft, just lightly flour the work surface while rolling to obtain the perfect shortcrust-like consistency.
You can store the cookies for 4–5 days in a tin or a well-sealed container: they will stay soft and taste as if freshly made.
FAQ (Questions & Answers)
Are the no-added-sugar date cookies suitable for children?
Yes, they are naturally sweetened with dates and contain no added sugar. They are perfect for the whole family and ideal for young children’s breakfasts.
How should the date cookies be stored?
You can store them for 4–5 days in a tin or a well-sealed container. They remain soft and fragrant.
