Cinnamon Date Rolls
on Mar 02, 2016, Updated May 14, 2024
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Can we talk about dates for a minute? Not the tinder kind… the fruit kind!! I had no idea how amazing these little fruits were until recently. I have made energy balls for a few months now and love how easy it is to make a protein packed and refined sugar free treat. I have learned one important thing about date selection though. There is a big difference between Medjool & Deglet Noor dates. Deglet Noor are a bit firmer and smaller than medjool. I love using medjool dates for energy balls and these Cinnamon Date Rolls because they are soft and full of sweet caramel goodness. On Whole 30, dates were the perfect way to cure my sweet tooth. These Date Rolls definitely do the trick! For awhile we would pit them, fill them with almond butter and top with coconut. Such a treat when you haven’t had sugar in weeks!
Sometimes I just pit them and eat them plain too… they are just so tasty! Oh and did I mention they are packed with potassium? 50% more than bananas to be exact. And we love potassium to keep from getting sore after a workout! So I thought about making an energy ball recipe and wanted to use cinnamon… it only made sense to make balls into Date Rolls! These babies did not last long in our household. We kept them in the freezer because the dates get nice and firm while still being easy to chew, and the flavor somehow gets even better when cold. First, make the dough and lay it flat ->
Then roll up just like a cinnamon roll and freeze for a bit until nice and firm. Then just slice and munch, such a simple Date Roll to make!
These slices are perfect for an after dinner dessert or a mid day energy boost!
Perfect mix of sweet, salty and CINNAMONY!
Pin it! Date Rolls for the win!
Nutrition for Cinnamon Date Rolls
Dates are such a great sugar replacement. They are a fruit and they truly can be a substitute to get you to that super sweet flavor your are looking for. Like I said above they are high in Potassium which helps with preventing leg cramps post work out but also assist with replenishing fluid needs since this electrolyte helps your cells absorb the lost fluid from sweat. Potassium is also essential to keeping that healthy heart of yours beating! Aside for the health benefits of dates, this Cinnamon Date Roll can help with brain health! Cinnamon is known to be not only good for your metabolism but also for maintaining brain function and eating a small dose of Cinnamon (in combination with other foods) has been shown to lower your risk for Alzheimer’s Disease!
Cinnamon Date Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups almond
- ½ cup walnuts
- 1 ½ cup pitted medjool dates
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon water, optional
- 3 tablespoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Add almonds and walnuts to the food processor and pulse until nuts are about the size of peas. Then add in the dates, vanilla and salt and run on high until the dough forms into a large ball. If it isn't coming together and is dry, add 1 tablespoon of water and pulse until it comes together. Then take half of the mixture out of the food processor and press into 1 even layer about 1/4 inch thick on parchment paper.
- Then add cinnamon to the rest of the dough and pulse until combined. Take the cinnamon dough and press evenly on top of the first layer. Then starting at one end, tightly roll up the dough and situate seam side down. Wrap the roll in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least 1 hour. Slice into 1/2 inch thick slices and eat whenever you need an energy boost or sweet treat!
Hello,
I made these today with a little twist and they just hit the “sweet spot” perfectly. The only thing I added/changed was a dusting of Cacao powder on top of the cinnamon layer before I rolled it all up and then coated the log in unsweetened coconut flakes. Thank you for a wonderful, satisfying and yummy treat!
All of those additions sound wonderful!
This sounds delish! I don’t have almonds but I do have cashews and walnuts… have you tried other nuts?
No I haven’t tried it but give it shot!
This is a favorite in our house! My kids request it all the time and it is a must have for special occassions! Thank you for sharing!
Wow, love when kids request a recipe.
These would be great to add to the Christmas cookie plate.
YES!!
I have made these and they were delicious. I am going to try making them with dried figs.
Sounds amazing.
So good!! I love a little sweet treat during the day but don’t want to snack on processed junk. This is a perfect snack. My kids love these too. I will continue to make these. Thanks for the recipe.
So glad you enjoyed them!!!
sounds great, but i don’t have a food processor, can I do it manually, will love to try it, thanks.
Yes you can for sure give it a try!!
Hi there! I wondered if you might be able to tell me if I could use almond flour in place of whole almonds and walnuts and just reduce the amount? I’m excited to try this recipe but I don’t have any almonds at the moment..but a bunch of almond flour.
I have not tried that but I think it would work!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUCH EASY AND USEFUL RESIPE!
So glad you love it!
These are, by far, the best date roll treats I’ve ever made! The vanilla really makes them … what’s the word?…. Decadent. Very nice cinnamon punch also.
I don’t have a fantastic food processor, so mine didn’t grind down nearly as smooth as yours look to be, but that’s ok- the texture from the nuts is really kinda nice.
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. I’ll probably have these in my freezer from now on.
Jenny, we are sooo glad you love the cinnamon date rolls, we love when you find a favorite!