Stuffed Dates with Cream Cheese and Nuts

Jazz up regular dates with this simple recipe for cream cheese stuffed dates. They take minutes to make, and are a delicious snack, appetizer or dessert.

Dates are an integral part of Ramadan and are eaten by Muslims throughout the year and during this holy month.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan (also spelled Ramazan, Ramzan and Ramadhan) is the 9^th month of the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar based on the cycles of the moon.

During this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from both food and water.

The practice of fasting is a way to teach Muslims self-discipline and self-control along with empathy for the less fortunate. All of these improve their relationship with God and also encouraging good behavior and acts of charity in the future.

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, with Muslims spending additional time in prayer, focusing on charity, and staying away from unlawful and dishonest activities.

What food is eaten during Ramadan?

The pre-dawn meal before the fast in Ramadan is called suhoor, sehri or suhur.

After consuming this meal, Muslims make the intention to fast, say their prayers, and then don’t eat or drink anything until sunset.

The meal at sunset, which is when Muslims break the fast, is known as iftar.

The type of food served at iftar varies from country to country.

In the Indian sub-continent, popular iftar items are samosas and pakoras (chickpea and vegetable fritters).

In the Middle East, dishes like hareesa (a lentil and meat stew), kabsa (Arabic style rice), baklava, and kanafeh are popular.

But the one thing common across all tables is dates.

What is the significance of dates in Ramadan?

The reason that dates are an essential part of the Iftar meal is because the prophet Muhammad has been quoted as saying “When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates; but if he cannot get any, then (he should break his fast) with water, for water is purifying.”

That is why Muslims around the world prefer to break their fast with dates.

Other than their cultural and religious importance, dates are super healthy. They are also easily digested, providing quick nutrition and energy, which is much needed after a long day of fasting.

There are many different varieties of dates available, each with its own unique flavor.

Some are small, and some are large (like Medjool dates).

Some are soft (like Medjool, barhi and halawi), and some are dry (like thoori).

Everyone has their preferred variety, but the most famous among Muslims is the small purple black ajwa date from Medina in Saudi Arabia, which is where the Prophet Muhammad lived and died.

The ajwa date is eaten as is, not used in a recipe.

How to make stuffed dates

Though dates are most popular in Ramadan, they can be enjoyed year around, and these stuffed dates take minutes to prepare.

Serve them as an appetizer or snack, or put them in a nice box and they can be a great hostess or house warming present for friends and family.

The process to make stuffed dates is super simple.

1. Remove the seeds: Start off with removing the seeds from the dates. It is also possible to purchase seedless dates from the supermarket.
2. Prepare the cream cheese filling. This is just softened cream cheese beaten till smooth. Add honey to taste.
3. Stuff the dates: Pipe the cream cheese filling into the dates. It’s also possible to fill the dates with a teaspoon, but the piping bag is neater. Once the dates are filled with the cream cheese filling, place them top down in a bowl of crushed nuts.

What nuts can be used for cream cheese stuffed dates?

I personally like to use a variety of nuts to fill these stuffed dates as it adds color and texture.

Nuts that can be used include walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and cashews.

In case you don’t want to use nuts, you can also use another topping such as rose petals, coconut, freeze dried strawberries or raspberries, or chopped up chocolate.

You could even drizzle them with some melted chocolate or hazelnut spread.

What dates can be used to make stuffed dates?

To make stuffed dates, it’s best to use dates that are soft, plump and on the larger size. This makes it easier to remove the seed, and stuff them with the cream cheese.

Any soft date can work, but the ones that I have used are medjool dates.

They are soft, juicy, and plump and have a rich, caramel taste that goes well with the cream cheese and nuts. Plus, they are easily available at supermarkets.

Other dates that can be used are barhi and halawi.