Date Nut Rolls (Khajur Barfi)

Name: Date Nut Rolls (Khajur Barfi)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 500 gram dates (pitted and roughly chopped); 250 gram pistachio nuts; 1 tablespoon ghee; 2-3 tablespoon desiccated coconut

This Date Nut Roll recipe is made with 2 main ingredients - dates and pistachio! Also known as Khajur Barfi or Khajur Dry Fruit Barfi in India.

a stack of date nut rolls are garnished with dried rose petals

Indian style Date and Pistachio Rolls

These date rolls are the same home-style rolls that you probably grew up with your Mum making. At home, we would call them “Khajur Paak” in Gujarati.

These are Indian style because they use ghee and you can incorporate some Indian flavours to them.

For ease, sometimes we make our khajur barfi in the microwave but it is commonly prepared on the stovetop.

These rolls are eggless as the sticky dates are enough to bind all of the ingredients.

This date roll recipe is so easy to make and is quick too. It is made simply by heating chopped dates with a dash of ghee, adding nuts and then shaping the mixture into a log.

Made with all natural ingredients and refined sugar free, it makes them the perfect treat for those with a sweet tooth and pretty enough to serve at a festive celebration.

five date rolls served in a small plate.

Pistachio Date Rolls Ingredients

Dates - use good quality soft and plump dates for the best results. I went with medjool dates which are easily available. Get pitted dates to save time.

Pistachios - I've gone for unsalted whole pistachios as they pair best with dates however, you can use other nuts of your choice.

Ghee - you need a small amount of ghee, butter or coconut oil

Desiccated coconut - for garnishing to make a coconut date roll

Optional:

Flavourings: cardamom powder - adds an Indian touch which is so yummy!

How to make Coconut Date Nut Rolls

Start by prepping the dates. Pit the dates if required and roughly chop by using a sharp knife or a quick blitz in the food processor.

You may want to roast the nuts. Roast over low heat on a pan or use the microwave.

In a heavy-based pan or kadai heat some ghee or coconut oil (if vegan) and add chopped dates and sauté dates for 3-4 minutes on medium heat or until the mixture is paste-like.

Turn off the heat and add pistachio and combine well.

chopped medjool dates in the pan to prepare date pistchio rolls.

mashed medjool dates with ghee in the pan to make date nut roll Indian.

Lightly roasted whole pistachio nuts added to the cooked date mixture to make date nut rolls.

Female hands are rolling date rolls on the parchment paper.

Remove the mixture from the pan and let it cool until easy to handle - approximately the soft ball stage. Do not wait until the mixture is at room temperature or else it may become difficult to shape.

Once the cooled date mixture is cool enough to handle with bare hands, make a long roll or log and cover with the plastic wrap or wax paper and leave it in the fridge for at least 1 hour. You could also freeze the logs.

Then remove the cling film and coat them with desiccated coconut or poppy seeds and cut them into desired thickness.

One khajur barfi log rolled into the desiccated coconut and rose petals.

coconut date rolls served on a serving plate.

Khajur Barfi Storage

In my experience, these date rolls will last for well over a month. We have technically not added any moisture to the recipe so there is no reason for them to spoil.

All ingredients added are those that keep well in the cupboard for many months.

However, you will notice that over time, they become harder and may taste stale. I would recommend consuming them within a month.

Keep stored in an airtight container so that they retain their softness for as long as possible.

I have not tried freezing this recipe

cut khajur barfi pieces on a wooden chopping board.

FAQs

Which dates can I use for Date and Nut Rolls?

We have used medjool dates for this recipe. They are very plump and sweet and due to their softness, they are easier to handle.
However, you can use other dates to suit your preference or whatever you have at home.
If you do not have soft variety of dates, you may need to soak harder dates in hot water for a few minutes.

How can I make these vegan?

Use coconut oil instead of the ghee.

How else can I garnish these date rolls?

There are a number of ways you can garnish or coat these rolls. They will look pretty and won’t stick to your fingers.
One way is desiccated coconut.
Ground pistachio.
White poppy seeds.
Cacao powder.
Or any edible dried flower petals.
Graham cracker crumbs would be a really fun alternative to make a holiday date roll style version

How to cut Date and Pistachio rolls perfectly

Make sure that the mixture is fully cooled before handling and after turning into the logs wrap it in the cling film and leave it in the fridge to chill.
Use a sharp knife to cut and apply very little fat on the knife so the nothing sticks to it and cut neatly.
To avoid cutting altogether, you could also shape the mixture into balls or set it in a plate.

How to make Date and Pistachio Rolls in the microwave – step by step

1. Take pitted and roughly chopped dates and ghee or coconut oil in a microwave-proof bowl and cook for 4-5 minutes on HIGH.
2. The dates will be softened, mash it up using a fork or mash potato presser.
3. Then add highly toasted pistachio nuts.
4. Mix well and let it cool for a couple of minutes.
5. Sprinkle 1 tbsp. coconut on a parchment paper and put date mixture.
6. Mix the mixture and make it smooth and lump-free.
7. Grease your hands and roll out the date and nut mixtures into a log and wrap using cling film and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
8. Unwrap the rolls and coat the date rolls in desiccated coconut.
9. Cut it using a sharp knife into desired thickness.

A plate of coconut date rolls placed on a cookery book.

Other Date Recipes

Instant Pot Sheer Khurma – a specialty for Eid
Vegan Mocha Chia Seed and Mixed Nuts Truffles
Date and Cashew Chilli Bhajia
Gujarati Date and Tamarind Chutney
Sugar-free Cashew, Date and Yogurt Popsicles

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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