With the molding machines from Kruger & Salecker, date bars and balls can easily be formed. These mixes have a consistency similar to marzipan, for which the M-line was originally developed. The pasty date recipes thus offer another application that appeals to the trend towards healthier snacks.

Why dates?

Dates are high in natural sugar, which makes them perfect as a sugar alternative. In addition, date bars do not have to be laboriously processed, they are classified as raw snacks. What is of great importance in the food industry is that dates fall under the stored fruits so that they have a long shelf life.

Dates as a base

The date comes from the Middle East and North Africa. Dates grow on date palms. They are very nutritious and sweet. Their colors vary from red to black. They are primarily grown in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Tunisia. The quality varies with the different origins. While the Siwa and Bahir date are often found in Egypt, Tunisia focuses on the Deglet Noor, which is of very high quality.

The basis for date recipes are obviously dates. However, these must first be processed into a paste. A meat grinder from the meat industry will help. The consistency of the date mass can be influenced with different mincing sizes.

The date mix can be processed further with a conventional bakery kneader. For example, nuts, seeds or powder can be added to achieve different flavors and the date bar can be enriched with proteins and other additives.

Recipe example

Ingredients:

• 600g date paste
• 211g chopped pecan nuts
• 75g deoiled cocoa powder
• 75g apple juice
• 40g oatmeal

Mixing instruction:

• Mix the date paste with the oats and cocoa powder
• Fold in the apple juice
• Add the pecan nuts
• Fill into the MFT0100 molding machine

A few more pieces of advice

It is an advantage to look for a supplier who delivers consistent quality in order to avoid production difficulties. The meat grinder should also process the dates as gently as possible to avoid oiling them out. Ultimately, the mix should not be heated in order not to destroy the valuable components of the date. Because heat turns the date into pure fructose.