easy dessert dates

persimmon pudding

ripe persimmons + cinnamon + nutmeg

Fill each date with a small wedge of persimmon. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon, and a little bit of nutmeg.

chocolate-covered pretzel

pretzel nuggets + chocolate

Fill each date with a pretzel and dip the bottoms in chocolate.

apple crisp

granny smith apple slices + streusel topping

For 8 dates: combine 3 tablespoons oats (gluten free, if necessary), 1 teaspoon sugar, a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, and 1 tablespoon butter (or 2 teaspoons oil). Microwave for 30 seconds just to melt, then stir. Cook for 30 to 60 more seconds, until crispy and golden brown.

Fill each date with a slice of apple, and pack the streusel topping around it. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

baklava

walnut + cardamom + chopped pistachios

Fill each date with a few broken walnut pieces. Roll the pistachios in a pinch or two of cardamom, and pack the pistachios in the remaining space.

raspberry cheesecake

cream cheese + honey + graham cracker crumbles + raspberry halves

Sweeten the cream cheese with a little honey (the date will add a lot of sweetness—you can even skip the honey if you’d like). Fill each date with a layer of graham cracker crumbs, a layer of cream cheese, another light sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs to garnish, and a halved raspberry.

pecan pie

shortbread + pecan

Cut or break the shortbread into small chunks. Fill each date with a chunk of shortbread and one pecan.

s’mores

roast mini marshmallow + graham cracker + chocolate dip

Roast the marshmallows with a culinary torch, gas stove, or warm them in the microwave for a couple seconds. Fill each date with a couple marshmallows and a chunk of graham cracker, and dip the bottoms in chocolate.

Use vegan marshmallows to make this vegan.

tiramisu

Turkish coffee + cocoa powder + honey + mascarpone

Roll the dates in equal parts finely ground coffee and cocoa powder (if the dates are dry and not sticky, brush them with a little water, let them sit for a few minutes, and dry off any excess water before rolling). Fill each date with honey-sweetened mascarpone, and dust with a little more cocoa powder.

banana split

banana + whipped cream + chopped peanuts + sprinkles + halved cherries

Fill each date with a banana slice. Top with whipped cream, peanuts, sprinkles, and a 1/2 maraschino cherry.