Date and Oat Slice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why add baking soda to dates? ›

The baking soda helps to soften the dates as well as lighten the texture of the cake. Boiling Water – used to soak the dates and once soaked, the dates including the liquid, is added to the cake. Butter – salted or unsalted butter is fine. Brown Sugar – used in both the cake and the caramel sauce.

And, they're easily turned into date syrup, a natural sweetener for coffee or baking. But even more common dates, sold in bags near the raisins, make an excellent snack, and blend gorgeously in smoothies and desserts, eliminating the need for additional sugar.

Dried dates are ready to use straight away - just slice off from the block or pick as many of you need from the box, but you can also soak them in a liquid like tea or various types of alcohol, to boost flavour and moisture.

Dates taste lovely when paired with cured meats and cheeses, making them a popular addition to charcuterie boards. The fruits are also used in many plant-based recipes. Lastly, the fruits pair well with many assorted spices, especially cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

Dates have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral characteristics, as well as the ability to prevent chronic inflammation and other disorders, due to their high phenolic content. Due to their high fiber and phenolic content, dates can aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and immune system regulation.

According to Sedivy, a serving of dates is about one-quarter cup. However, "if you're worried about the sugar amount, I recommend eating two to three large dates to reap all the health benefits associated with them," she says.

Fibre helps to regulate digestion, promoting feelings of fullness and reducing the overall calorie intake. Dates are also a natural source of sugar. Therefore, they can provide a quick energy source without spiking blood sugar levels. However, it's important to note that eating dates alone can not reduce belly fat.

Baking soda becomes activated when it's combined with both an acidic ingredient and a liquid. Upon activation, carbon dioxide is produced, which allows baked goods to rise and become light and fluffy (1).

Soak the chopped dates in the boiling water and 1 tsp of baking soda for 10-15 minutes. After the dates gave soaked in the hot water, you can use a fork and mash the dates up or you can pour it into into a blender and blend it a little.

Baking soda and water can be an effective way of removing some pesticides. A 2017 study found that submerging apples in a baking soda solution for 2 minutes removed more pesticides than a 2-minute soak in a bleach solution or a rinse under running tap water.

Is it safe to use out of date baking soda? ›

Baking soda is good indefinitely past its best by date, although it can lose potency over time. You can use a rule of thumb—two years for an unopened package and six months for an opened package. While old baking soda may not produce as much leavening action, it is still safe to eat.