Fudgy Chocolate Date Frosting

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Here is an incredible vegan fudgy chocolate date frosting recipe! Sweetened only with dates and whipped up in a food processor with a handful of simple ingredients, this recipe makes enough to frost a 9×13-inch sheet cake generously.

overhead shot of a slice of cake and frosting on a small white plate

Let’s ease our way into the week with a healthy treat!

Medjool dates are an ingredient that I use often in my dessert recipes. They provide natural sweetness and a sticky, gooey texture to everything from pie crusts to cookies to bars.

Did you know that you can even use them to make a divine frosting for a cake, without a lick of icing sugar? That’s right, this fudgy chocolate date frosting is sweetened solely with Medjool dates, completely eliminating the need for added sweetener. Pretty awesome, huh? And so healthy!

All that you need are six ingredients and a food processor. Here are the details!

close up overhead shot showing detail of the frosting on a cake

ingredients for chocolate date frosting

To make this healthy chocolate date frosting, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Medjool dates: You are going to want to use the freshest, softest Medjool dates that you can find for ease of blending them into a smooth frosting. Do not use dates that have been sitting in your cupboard for months! I do not recommend using Deglet Noor dates, as they are not gooey enough for this recipe.
Cashew butter: I love the slightly sweet and relatively neutral flavour of cashew butter in this icing. However, you can substitute almond butter, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, or even tahini if you like.
Cacao powder: I love to use raw cacao powder in my no-bake sweets. It tastes just like regular cocoa, but it is not processed and is full of minerals, notably magnesium.
Sea salt: A pinch of sea salt goes a long way in bringing out the sweetness of the frosting and adding some complexity of flavour.
Non-dairy milk: Any variety of plant-based milk will work. I used unsweetened almond milk.
Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract is worth shelling out the extra cash for. I like Simply Organic brand vanilla extract.

how to make the best healthy + fudgy chocolate frosting

Place all ingredients except the non-dairy milk in a food processor fitted with the ‘S’ blade. Process until the dates are totally pulverized and the mixture pulls together. Then, add the non-dairy milk and continue to process until ultra smooth. This takes a few minutes, but your patience will be reward with a smooth chocolate date frosting that you can most definitely enjoy a few spoonfuls of, straight out of the container!

Transfer the frosting into an airtight container and store in the fridge if not frosting your cake right away. Alternatively, frost your cake immediately.

an angled straight on shot of the food processor containing the date chocolate frosting

close up overhead shot of a bowl of the icing with a spoon in it

an overhead shot of a vanilla cake being frosted with chocolate date frosting

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close up overhead shot of the frosting on a vanilla sheet cake

storage instructions for this frosting

Store fudgy chocolate date frosting in the refrigerator for a week or longer.

other ways to enjoy this frosting

Here are some other ways to enjoy this recipe, even without cake:

Use it as a dip for fresh strawberries and sliced apples.
Spread it over a slice of banana bread.
Enjoy a spoonful over ice cream.
Make a dessert quesadilla with the chocolate date icing and strawberries as the filling.
Throw a spoonful into a smoothie with frozen banana, Greek yogurt, and hemp hearts.
Mix some into a bowl of Greek yogurt for an instant chocolate protein pudding! Top with strawberries and sliced banana.

chocolate date frosting: frequently asked questions

How much frosting does this recipe make?

This chocolate date frosting recipe makes almost 3 cups, enough to generously frost a 9×13-inch sheet cake or a 9-inch layer cake.

Is chocolate date frosting healthier than regular frosting?

Yes, this frosting recipe is healthier than regular frosting. While Medjool dates are higher in sugar than some fruits, they also contain fibre, which slows down the release of sugar into the bloodstream. This frosting is also made with cashew butter, which is rich in healthy fat. Pairing sugar with healthy fat helps to slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream. Thus, you are unlikely to feel a sugar crash after enjoying this icing.

Does this frosting taste healthy?

To be completely honest, no! It tastes like a sweet, fudgy chocolate icing. No one will miss the refined icing sugar.

close up overhead shot of a slice of cake with the frosting on it

angled overhead shot of a slice of cake with date chocolate frosting and sprinkles on a white plate

more dessert recipes with Medjool dates

If you like this chocolate date frosting, you might also like these other healthy dessert recipes:

I hope that you love this fudgy chocolate date frosting! If you make it, let me know how you enjoyed it by leaving a comment and rating below the post.

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Enjoy!