Date Palm Jaggery Dessert Recipes for the Sweet Tooth

Date Palm Jaggery Dessert Recipes for the Sweet Tooth

Date palm jaggery, often referred to as “nolen gur” in some regions, is a natural sweetener derived from the sap of date palm trees. It has a distinct flavor and is commonly used in desserts in many South Asian cuisines. Here are a few delightful dessert recipes that showcase the sweet and rich taste of date palm jaggery:

1. Nolen Gur Sandesh (Date Palm Jaggery Fudge):

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup paneer (Indian cottage cheese), crumbled
  • 1/2 cup date palm jaggery, grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • Chopped nuts for garnish (almonds, pistachios)
Instructions:
  • Heat a non-stick pan on low heat. Add crumbled paneer and grated date palm jaggery.
  • Stir continuously until the mixture thickens and starts to leave the sides of the pan.
  • Add cardamom powder and mix well.
  • Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  • When the mixture is still warm, shape it into small rounds or any desired shape.
  • Garnish with chopped nuts.
  • Allow it to cool completely before serving.

2. Date Palm Jaggery Rice Pudding:

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 4 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup date palm jaggery, grated
  • 1/4 cup mixed dry fruits (raisins, chopped dates, cashews, almonds)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
Instructions:
  • Cook basmati rice with milk until the rice is soft and the mixture thickens.
  • Add grated date palm jaggery and stir until it dissolves completely.
  • Add cardamom powder and mix well.
  • In a separate pan, lightly roast the mixed dry fruits.
  • Add the roasted dry fruits to the rice pudding and mix.
  • If using saffron, dissolve it in a tablespoon of warm milk and add it to the pudding.
  • Allow the pudding to cool before serving. It can be served warm or chilled.

3. Nolen Gur Ice Cream:

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup date palm jaggery, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
  • In a bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  • In another bowl, mix condensed milk, grated date palm jaggery, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  • Gently fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture.
  • Pour the mixture into a container and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  • Once set, scoop the ice cream and serve with a drizzle of date palm jaggery on top.

Tips:

  • Adjust the quantity of date palm jaggery based on your sweetness preference.
  • Experiment with additional spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor.
  • Feel free to customize these recipes by adding your favorite nuts or dried fruits.

These date palm jaggery dessert recipes celebrate the unique sweetness of nolen gur, offering a delicious experience for anyone with a sweet tooth.