Dates Cashew Rolls: A Healthy and Delicious Treat for Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is not only about illuminating our homes but also filling our plates with delicious and festive treats. Among the many sweets that adorn Diwali celebrations, Dates Cashew Rolls stand out as a healthy, sugar-free, and flavorful dessert option. Packed with the natural sweetness of dates and the richness of cashews, these rolls are a perfect combination of taste and nutrition. Let’s explore the simple steps to make Dates Cashew Rolls that will brighten up your Diwali celebration.

Ingredients for Dates Cashew Rolls

1 cup Dates (seedless and finely chopped)
½ cup Cashews (lightly roasted and coarsely ground)
2 tbsp Almonds (chopped)
2 tbsp Pistachios (chopped)
1 tbsp Ghee (Clarified Butter)
1 tsp Cardamom Powder
2 tbsp Desiccated Coconut (optional for coating)

How to Make Dates Cashew Rolls

Start by finely chopping the dates if they are not already seedless. You can also pulse them briefly in a food processor to form a paste, which will help bind the ingredients together. Lightly roast the cashews, almonds, and pistachios in a pan on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Once done, coarsely grind the cashews and set the chopped almonds and pistachios aside. In a non-stick pan, heat 1 tablespoon of ghee. Add the finely chopped dates or date paste to the pan and sauté for 4-5 minutes on medium heat until the dates become soft and sticky. This will help the dates bind better. Once the dates are softened, add the coarsely ground cashews, chopped almonds, and pistachios to the mixture. Stir well so the nuts are evenly distributed. Add 1 teaspoon of cardamom powder to enhance the flavor, and mix everything thoroughly.

Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly until it is comfortable to handle. Take small portions of the mixture and roll them into cylindrical shapes using your palms. You can make them as small or large as you prefer. If you like a slightly crunchy texture, you can roll the prepared Dates Cashew Rolls in desiccated coconut for a beautiful and festive finish. This step is optional but adds an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal. Once the rolls are shaped, allow them to cool completely. You can refrigerate them for 30 minutes to set. After they’ve firmed up, your Dates Cashew Rolls are ready to serve!