Date Shake Recipe: How I Make This Creamy Treat at Home

Alright, Let Me Tell You About My Date Shake Habit

You ever have one of those afternoons when your sweet tooth just won’t quit? That’s when I reach for my blender and whip up a Date Shake. I started making these after a road trip out to Palm Springs (if you’ve been, you know they have these legendary date shakes everywhere). Was it the heat, road dust, or a nostalgia-fueled impulse that started my love of blending up ridiculously sweet, creamy things? Probably all of the above. Anyway, now my kids ask for these so often I’ve begun hiding the dates behind the frozen peas—don’t judge. Oh, and as a bit of an aside, I once tried making this in a food processor when my blender quit on me mid-shake… let’s just say, crunchy shakes aren’t really my jam.

Why You’ll Fall Hard for This (Like I Did)

I whip up a Date Shake whenever I want something cold that isn’t just another boring smoothie. My family loses their minds for these, because they taste like milkshakes but you can *almost* pretend they’re healthy (fiber! potassium! or at least, that’s what I tell myself). And—this bit’s selfish—I love that it doesn’t need fancy ice cream or special syrups, just a bag of dates and milk from the fridge. If I’m in a real rush and forget to pit the dates, the blender sounds like it’s making gravel, but hey, no one’s perfect.

What You’ll Need (But Don’t Stress If You Don’t Have Everything)

• About 8 Medjool dates, pitted (Deglet Noor works too, though I find they’re a bit less gooey. Sometimes I even throw in prunes, but don’t tell the purists!)
• 1 1/2 cups milk (any kind! I use oat milk because, lactose, but almond or cow’s milk—it’s all fair game)
• A handful of ice cubes (If it’s the dead of winter, you can skip the ice, honestly)
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream (optional, but I mean… do you want a treat or not?)
• Pinch of cinnamon or cardamom (my gran swore by cardamom, but I usually go with cinnamon, mostly because I find it first in the spice drawer)
• Little drizzle of honey or maple syrup if you like it extra sweet (most of the time I skip this, but my youngest is all about the sweet drinks…)

How I Throw It All Together

1. First, make sure your dates are pitted. I learned the hard way—nothing ruins the zen of blending like a random date pit making the blender sound like an angry wasp. If the dates aren’t soft, I sometimes soak ’em in a splash of hot water for 5 minutes. Makes blending way smoother.
2. Toss the dates, milk, ice (if using), and ice cream into the blender. Add your cinnamon or cardamom, maybe a smidge of honey if you’re feeling cheeky.
3. Blend on high until it looks thick and creamy. This is where I usually sneak a taste—just to check, of course—and sometimes I add a splash more milk if it’s too thick or, who am I kidding, a little more ice cream if I’m feeling wild. Don’t worry if it looks weird for a second—those dates do make for lumpy beginnings, but it’ll smooth out.
4. Pour into your favorite glasses. Sometimes I get fancy and sprinkle a bit more cinnamon on top, but that’s honestly just because I saw someone do it on TikTok.

Notes I Wish Someone Had Told Me

• If you use really dry dates, soften them first or your blender will hate you (and you might end up with floaty date bits — not the worst, but texturally odd).
• Once, I added too much ice and it just tasted like cold milk with lumps. Not a vibe.
• I keep saying I’ll try making this with coconut milk, but then I remember I’m actually just out of coconut milk. Next time. Maybe.

All the Weird Ways I’ve Tried Tweaking It

• Espresso shot: Tastes like a grown-up, caffeinated dessert. My spouse loved it, but the kids got wired, so maybe don’t go wild unless you’re planning to run laps around the house.
• Chocolate protein powder: I thought it’d be healthy, but the flavor was… not my fave. Kind of weirdly chalky.
• Frozen banana: Actually, this worked pretty well as a thickener when I ran out of ice cream. Not traditional, but tasty.

What Equipment Do You Need Here, Really?

I always use a blender (mine’s a cheap jug blender that’s done pretty well with sticky Medjool dates). If you’ve only got a food processor, it’s possible… but you’ll probably end up with a chunkier shake. If you don’t have either, I’d say, maybe just eat the dates and drink your milk on the side (only half joking).

If By Some Miracle You Have Leftovers…

Pop it in the fridge in a covered jar for up to a couple days. Give it a shake or stir before drinking, because it tends to separate. But, honestly, in my house it never lasts more than a day (mainly because I tend to “sample” it every time I open the fridge).

How I Serve This — Family Style (Usually)

Usually I pour everyone a glass, pop in a silly straw (because my sister swears everything tastes better through a bendy straw), and call it dessert. Occasionally I’ll scatter chopped toasted almonds on top or dollop on a bit of whipped cream if we’re feeling fancy. I’ve even served it with a shot of espresso on the side—so good on a chilly evening.

Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

• Don’t rush the blending! I tried to shortcut it once and the dates ended up like little pebbles. Not ideal unless you like chewing your drinks.
• If you forget to pit your dates… well, you only make that mistake once. Trust me.
• Actually, I find it works better if you don’t overdo the ice; otherwise, your Date Shake is just too runny. On second thought, maybe skip the ice if you’re not sure.

FAQ — Stuff Folks Have Actually Asked Me

• Wait, are date shakes healthy? Eh, sort of. Dates are pretty nutritious! But if you toss in loads of ice cream, well that’s less health food, more treat. I say live a little.
• Can I make this vegan? Yep! Use your fave non-dairy milk and a good vegan ice cream—or skip ice cream for a lighter shake. Just watch out, some plant milks can taste a bit… watery? I like oat milk; it’s richer.
• What if I don’t have Medjool dates? Deglet Noor dates work, might need a few extra since they’re smaller. Or raid your pantry—dried figs can be swapped in a pinch (slightly offbeat, but tasty!).
• Can kids have this? Oh, absolutely. Although if you add that espresso variation, probably not at bedtime! (Learned THAT the hard way, ha.)
• What’s the best blender for date shakes? Honestly, any standard blender will do unless your dates are super tough. If you’re shopping, I’ve found Wirecutter’s blender picks pretty reliable, but whatever you’ve got will probably work.
• Where can I find really good dates? Local Middle Eastern grocers—if you’ve got one—often have the juiciest Medjools (plus the staff usually have advice if you ask). Otherwise, 7 Hot Dates has great mail order deals.
• Is this better made ahead? Actually, I think it tastes a bit better the next day—flavors meld and it thickens a touch. But it’s still great straight out of the blender.

And in case you’re curious (I was): Did you know dates are technically berries? Found that out while procrastinating writing this recipe. Anyway, if you try my Date Shake, let me know—especially if you come up with some oddball variation that actually works. Cheers!