Am going to make some Bliss Balls from Helen's recipe for Chocolate Bliss Balls.
In the recipe she says 12 Medjool dates. The dates I bought look quite small. What is it about Medjool dates - are they bigger than the other ones? Where do you buy them from?
Thanks

Medjool dates are fresh, soft and more plump than the cheaper dried variety sold with the baking items. I buy Medjool dates in the fruit and vege dept of my local supermarket, all 3 supermarkets here carry them. I think if you are using the dried ones I'd use more of them and give them a soak first but I haven't tried this before.

Maybe Helen will reply and let us know why she has specified medjool dates. Meanwhile, in my experience any fresh soft dates will be fine.

There is an Iranian brand of fresh date, Mazafati, in a green box, that is sold widely in NZ; they are really lovely and would be perfect for any recipe that needs soft dates.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2018 09:28AM by TPANDAV.

I too use the ordinary dried dates from the supermarket when I have made Bliss balls. But, I do add more, maybe double the quantity of dates in the recipe, usually cut them in half too & soak them for a short time before mixing everything together in my chopper.

Yes as Mantilla says you can use dried dates but you would definitely need to add more, probably double the amount and soften them in liquid first
Fresh dates are often used due to their texture. Our supermarket generally has Medjool dates but any fresh date is fine.

Thanks for your suggestions. I decided to double the quantity of dates and it worked fine.

If I use the standard dates for any baking I soak them in liquid, usually water, first.
I tend to see medjool dates as being more dessert dates. I have never tried the mazafati ones.