These delicious Pistachio Date Cups are super delicious and healthy no-bake treats made using roasted pistachios, sweet dates, and a smooth chocolate topping. Perfect as a dessert or sweet snack, these no-bake dessert cups are a healthier alternative to traditional sweets.
Made using 6 basic ingredients, these beautiful cups come together in just 30 minutes. Plus, they are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
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Table of contents
About Pistachio Date Cups
These bite-sized Pistachio Date Cups are sweet delights made using a nutritious mix of pistachios and dates, flavored by aromatic spices like cinnamon and cardamom, and finished with a decadent dark chocolate layer. Not only are they super delicious, but these bites are also very versatile and can be enjoyed as a dessert, sweet breakfast, or as an after-school snack.
Sweetened with the natural sweetener ‘dates,’ the unique blend of flavors makes these date cups irresistibly gratifying. So if you love a sweet snack, brunch, or breakfast, or are just looking for a healthy dessert, then these dense, nutty, and delicious pistachio cups are for you.
Making these cups is very easy and straightforward. Just blend the ingredients, transfer them to muffin liners, let them chill, then top with melted dark chocolate and chopped pistachios, and let them chill until the chocolate shell hardens. That’s it.
Another wonderful thing about these cups is they are very versatile, so you can make them using any nuts or flavoring. And they are not only vegetarian but also gluten-free and dairy-free.
So make these simple, delicious treats, Pistachio Date Cups, that combine healthful ingredients with indulgent flavors to create the perfect sweet snack or dessert for any occasion.
These Pistachio Date Cups
✔️ are easy to make
✔️ are nutrient-dense
✔️ are no-bake and delicious
✔️ taste like a decadent dessert
✔️ make the best after-school dessert
✔️ are very versatile
✔️ can be stored for days
✔️ are suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets
✔️ can be made using any nuts
✔️ make a great holiday gift
✔️ are perfect for snack lovers
✔️ are a great choice for health-conscious folks
Ingredients
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Roasted Pistachios: I have used roasted unsalted pistachios as a base for these cups. They add a rich, nutty base while adding a satisfying crunch. Toasting makes them aromatic and tastier.
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Pitted Dates: They add natural sweetness and bind the ingredients together without the need for added sugars or liquids.
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Flavorings: I have added some ground cinnamon and ground cardamom to give these cups an aromatic touch and warm, spicy flavor. Both of these sweet spices complement the sweetness of the dates.
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Chocolate: For the chocolate topping, I have used real dark chocolate (85% cocoa). Chocolate chips or chunks can also be used here. You can also use semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate depending on your taste preference.
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Coconut Oil: It is used to help melt the chocolate smoothly. It also adds a glossy finish to the chocolate layer.
How to Make Pistachio Date Cups
Making Pistachio Date Cups at home is very simple and easy. Here’s how you can make them:
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In a food processor, blend the pistachios until finely ground. Reserve some ground pistachios for topping. Add the dates, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and process until the mixture becomes evenly mixed and sticky. You can also add a pinch of salt at this point.
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Take out about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and press it into mini muffin tins or silicone molds. You can use a spoon for a smooth finish. Let them chill in the refrigerator for up to 15-29 minutes or until set.
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Combine the dark chocolate and coconut oil and melt them gently in the microwave in short bursts, or use a double boiler, until smooth.
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Top each cup with the melted chocolate, and sprinkle with reserved pistachios. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until the chocolate is firm. You can also freeze them for 15 minutes.
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Once the chocolate has set, remove the cups from the molds. Your super pretty and delicious Pistachio Date Cups are now ready to be served!
Serving Suggestions
These beautiful and delicious date and pistachio cups are very versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways:
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As a Dessert: Serve them as an after-meal dessert for a satisfying finish. They are also perfect for displaying on a dessert table.
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As a Snack: They make a lovely party snack or dessert. You can serve them as a sweet snack along with some other date treats such as Peanut date Roll, Healthy date Bars, carrot cake Balls, or Cream Cheese Stuffed dates.
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As Brunch: You can have them as brunch or an afternoon pick-me-up with coffee, tea, or any of your favorite beverages.
Storage Suggestions
These cups stay fresh for up to one week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them for a longer shelf life.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap each cup in plastic wrap and then transfer them to a freezer-safe tray. Freeze for 3-4 hours and then transfer these frozen pistachio date cups to a freezer-safe ziplock bag or container.
Variations
Nuts
You can make these cups with any other nuts of your choice. Nuts that taste good in this recipe include toasted almonds, toasted hazelnuts, or toasted walnuts. You can also use a mix of nuts for a different flavor and texture.
Flavorings
I have added cardamom and cinnamon to these date pistachio cups. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg, almond extract, or vanilla extract.
Chocolate
I have used dark chocolate for this recipe, but you can use any chocolate of your choice depending on your taste preference. You can use milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or white chocolate. You can even use dark and white chocolate to create a chocolate swirl.
Pistachio Date Balls
Instead of making them into cups, you can shape them into balls and then coat them in melted chocolate, just like truffles.
Pistachio Date Bars
You can also shape them into bars by pressing them into a parchment paper-lined loaf pan. Then top them with melted chocolate and refrigerate until set. Slice into bars and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks to Make the Best Tasting Pistachio Date Cups
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Choosing Dates: You can use Medjool dates or any soft variety of dates for making these cups.
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Dry Dates: If your dates are a bit dry, then you can soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes before processing to make them easier to blend. Mine were super soft, so I processed them directly.
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Melting Chocolate: You can melt the chocolate in a microwave or double boiler. To prevent the chocolate from burning in the microwave, always melt it gently and keep stirring it frequently.
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Mold: For shaping these cups and easy removal, you can use silicone cups or use cupcake liners in a regular pan.
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Seeds: You can add about 1-2 tablespoons of flaxseeds or chia seeds for an added extra boost of fiber and nutrients.
Pistachio Date Cups (Step-by-step photo instructions)
How to Make Pistachio Date Cups
- Add the dates to a food processor, and blend the roasted pistachios until they are finely chopped. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of pistachios for topping.
- Add the pitted dates, ground cinnamon, and ground cardamom to the processor. Blend the mixture until it forms a smooth dough. You might need to scrape down the sides of the jar a few times to ensure everything is well combined. Tip: If it is not coming together, then you can add 1-2 tablespoons of water or some more dates.
- Once it forms a dough, transfer the mixture to a bowl. Take about 2 tablespoons of the pistachio date dough, roll it into a patty, and then press it into the silicone mold or cupcake liner of a mini muffin tin. You can use a wooden spoon to smooth the top. Tip: If the mixture sticks to your hands, you can apply a light oil to your palm before shaping them. Repeat with the remaining dough and chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set.
- Break the chocolate into small pieces and place it in a heatproof bowl. Add the coconut oil to the bowl, and melt the chocolate with the coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, or melt it over a double boiler on the stove, stirring frequently.
- Once the cups are set, top each cup with melted chocolate, and sprinkle the reserved pistachios on top. Place the muffin tin or mold in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is fully set and the cups are firm. You can also freeze them for 15 minutes for a faster setting. Once the chocolate is set, gently remove the pistachio date cups from the molds.
- Your delicious pistachio date cups are ready. Enjoy them immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Recipe Card
Pistachio Date Cups [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 6 reviews)
| Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mins | ||
| Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Serves ☺ |
| Desserts | International | 6 |
| Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
| 385 calories | 1 |
INGREDIENTS
For Pistachio Date Cups
- 1 cup roasted pistachios
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 250 grams chocolate (for topping)
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil (for melting chocolate)
INSTRUCTIONS:
How to Make Pistachio Date Cups
- Add the dates to a food processor, and blend the roasted pistachios until they are finely chopped. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of pistachios for topping.
- Add the pitted dates, ground cinnamon, and ground cardamom to the processor. Blend the mixture until it forms a smooth dough. You might need to scrape down the sides of the jar a few times to ensure everything is well combined. Tip: If it is not coming together, then you can add 1-2 tablespoons of water or some more dates.
- Once it forms a dough, transfer the mixture to a bowl. Take about 2 tablespoons of the pistachio date dough, roll it into a patty, and then press it into the silicone mold or cupcake liner of a mini muffin tin. You can use a wooden spoon to smooth the top. Tip: If the mixture sticks to your hands, you can apply a light oil to your palm before shaping them. Repeat with the remaining dough and chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set.
- Break the chocolate into small pieces and place it in a heatproof bowl. Add the coconut oil to the bowl, and melt the chocolate with the coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, or melt it over a double boiler on the stove, stirring frequently.
- Once the cups are set, top each cup with melted chocolate, and sprinkle the reserved pistachios on top. Place the muffin tin or mold in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is fully set and the cups are firm. You can also freeze them for 15 minutes for a faster setting. Once the chocolate is set, gently remove the pistachio date cups from the molds.
- Your delicious pistachio date cups are ready. Enjoy them immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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NOTES:
- You can use Medjool dates or any soft variety of dates for making these cups.
- If your dates are a bit dry, then you can soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes before processing to make them easier to blend. Mine were super soft, so I processed them directly.
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Author: Anupama
Recipe Source Link: https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/pistachio-date-cups/
