Date-sweetened cookies are refined sugar-free, soft and chewy and deserving of a place on your go-to cookie recipe list! They will have you asking, “how are these only sweetened with fruit?”
These delicious cookies are lightly sweetened and nutrient-packed and would be a perfect option for a hearty breakfast cookie. Make a few batches at one time and you can stock your freezer with a healthy grab-and-go breakfast option.

Have fun adding different toppings and throw additions like candied ginger or chopped apricots in with the dry ingredients. Get creative! For my family, I added chocolate chips that contain less sugar than regular semi-sweet baking chips and it was a big hit!
You’re going to love these cookies and feel so good about sharing them with your friends and family. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
- butter – melt the butter and allow it to cool slightly
- Medjool dates - be sure to take the pits out!
- eggs – use large eggs for this recipe
- vanilla extract – it’s worth it to invest in pure vanilla or make your own
- all-purpose flour – you can also sub for spelt flour or oat flour
- baking soda - did you know baking soda is freshest within 3 months of opening?
- salt – I love to use unrefined grey salt for extra minerals and flavor
- ground cinnamon – I recommend ceylon cinnamon
- oats – use rolled oats or sometimes called “old fashioned” oats
- chocolate chips - to keep sugar content lower in these cookies you can purchase chocolate chips sweetened with stevia or dates if desired.
Dates in Baking
Dates are a great discovery for baking as they are innately so sweet you don't need to use a lot of them. They have a thick texture that is sometimes easier to work with than syrups or honey and add a deep caramel flavour that lends itself well to yummy batters and doughs.
I love using dates in baking or to bring sweetness to many different foods like marinades or smoothies. Dates hold many health benefits. They are a high source of Potassium, Magnesium and Vitamin B6. They are also full of antioxidants and may contribute to good brain health.
More Naturally Sweet Recipes:
- Caramel Date Paste
- Date Sweetened Chocolate Pudding
- Oat Flour Pancakes
- Tahini Stuffed Dates
- Tahini Hot Chocolate
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Dates grow on date palm trees and are dried and harvested before being brought to market. Nowhere in the process is sugar added.
Yes. Dates are high in natural sugars and are also loaded with other nutrients such as iron and antioxidants.
The Benefit of Naturally Sweetened Cookies
Naturally sweetened cookies leave you feeling full and your sweet tooth satisfied. Natural sweeteners, like dates, don't affect your blood sugar levels as much as refined white sugar. This is why you don't feel your blood sugar levels spiking and then dropping off 20 minutes later when you eat naturally sweetened treats.
Recipe Steps
Whisk together the dry ingredients including the rolled oats.
In a food processor or a blender blitz together the butter, egg, vanilla and dates until smooth and creamy.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until incorporated. Add chocolate chips and stir until just combined.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Roll about 2 tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Press the cookie dough down and shape into desired round cookie shape as these cookies don't spread much. Bake for approximately 8 minutes. Enjoy!
Fun and Creative Add-Ins
- Chopped dates or raisins
- Various nuts, like pecans or walnuts
- Chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
- Stuffed with homemade Nutella
- Dried fruits like cranberries or apricots
- Candied ginger
- Pretzels
- Shredded coconut
- Top with a cream cheese icing
More Recipes to Enjoy
Peanut Butter Swirl Black Bean Brownies
These peanut butter swirl black bean brownies are so fudgy and so delicious. The texture can’t be beaten! They seriously are like fudge.
Chocolate Covered Pineapple is a refreshing way to add some tropical sweetness and sunny flavour to your day.
Blended Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
A healthy ice cream recipe that provides approximately 35 grams of protein!
Date Sweetened Cookies
Date Sweetened Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 cup pitted medjool dates, lightly packed (10-12 dates)
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips or sugar free chips if desired
Instructions
- In a food processor or a blender blitz together the butter, egg, vanilla and dates until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients including the rolled oats.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until incorporated. Add chocolate chips and stir until just combined.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. If your dough seems soft, chill for 30 minutes before rolling your cookies.
- Roll about 2 tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Press the cookie dough down and shape into desired round cookie shape as these cookies don't spread much. Add a few chocolate chips to the top of each cookie for appearance if desired. Bake for approximately 8 minutes. Enjoy!
- Note: I enjoy these cookies the most after they've been chilled in the fridge.
If you make this recipe please leave a comment and give this recipe a rating! I aim to respond to every single comment. I am so grateful when you trust me and try one of my recipe creations in your own kitchen. I love to hear how it went! Let’s connect on Instagram and tag me in your food pics!
‘Til next time,
Hannah Sloots says
what the heck....these are actually AMAZING. I will be making again!
Leslie says
You're totally right, I was definitely asking how these are only sweetened with fruit! haha! This is a fabulous cookie recipe!
Kate says
I'm saving this recipe to make with my daughters, one of whom has a really big sweet tooth! I've been trying to find ways to reduce added sugars in her diet so I'm excited to try this one, it looks delicious.
veenaazmanov says
Healthy combination of ingredients and definitely a healthy cookie recipe too. Best as a snack option.
Colleen says
These cookies have just the right amount of sweetness without sugar. Great recipe, it's a keeper!
Mindy says
I had a bunch of dates lying around so I decided to give this recipe a try. I give it a 10/10. So delicious. I used pitted dates so it made the process super quick and easy!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I love using dates in baking and these cookies were delicious. A wonderful recipe to use dates and absolutely did not miss the added sugar in the cookies.
Jamie says
Wow! This is a unique cookie, I love the idea of adding date to our favorite chocolate chip cookies! It looks so delicious! The taste of date and chocolate will keep us coming back for more!
Amy Liu Dong says
Oh my gosh, my sweet tooth is so happy seeing these cookies. This is so delicious!
Katie Crenshaw says
These are addicting! The flavor is so good and I love that all the ingredients are natural.
Jenny Graves says
This is the holy grail of chocolate chip cookie recipes for me. I can’t wait to make them. Thanks for this great way to use dates. Yummy!
Abby Fraser says
These cookies taste amazing and we're so easy to make! I will definitely be making them again. Thanks Christy for the amazing recipe!