Dates with cream

Soft dates filled with lightly scented fresh cream, served as a small snack.

Ingredients

• 🌴 12 Medjool or other large soft dates, pitted
• 🥛 120 ml very cold heavy cream
• 🥣 60 g plain cream cheese, optional for a firmer filling
• 🍊 1 teaspoon finely grated untreated orange zest
• 🌿 1 pinch ground cardamom, optional
• 🥜 2 tablespoons unsalted chopped almonds or pistachios
• 🍯 1 teaspoon honey, optional, adjusted to the sweetness of the dates

Preparation

🧼 Wash and dry the orange, then zest it. Keep dates chilled and prepare a clean serving plate.

🔪 Split each date lengthwise without cutting all the way through; remove the pit and check that the fruit still holds its shape.

🥛 Whip cold cream in a chilled bowl to soft peaks. Stop before it becomes grainy.

🥣 For a firmer filling, soften the cream cheese and gently fold it into the whipped cream; omit it for a lighter texture.

🍊 Add zest and cardamom. Taste before adding honey, since dates can be very sweet.

✨ Spoon or pipe a little cream into each date, sprinkle with nuts and serve chilled.