California Date Shake Recipe (2024)

Question: I tried this yesterday, and the dates didn't fully pulverize, they mostly glommed in little pieces at the bottom of the blender. Any suggestions? Should they be soaked in hot water to soften them before blending?

I ran into the same issue, with the dates not fully pulverizing the first I tried.The second time, I microwaved the pitted dates with 3 tbsp water for about 20 to 30 seconds. Then I used a spoon to mash the date-water mixture into a paste before adding it to the blender.It was really easy and effective. Delicious!

We have fond memories of the date shakes at Hadley Fruit Orchards en route from LA to Palm Springs. Now that we live in Wisconsin, the craving hits hard. First time we made this, 4 dates seemed like too much. We made it with 3 dates today and it was perfect! Using “fresh” pitted medjool dates from the produce section. Not the super commercial stuff.I put the 1/4c of milk in the freezer for 12 min before making it.

I learned this from my very SoCal mother-in-law, only with no ice cream. Frozen banana chunks and a tahini drizzle blended with well-soaked dates. Divine and still a real treat.

This is delicious, and the better your milk, ice cream and dates, the better this comes out.

In one of the date shake shops we visited in Palm Springs a tablespoon or so of thick-ish date paste was artfully painted around and down the side of the glass. A nice touch to distinguish this from what could otherwise be mistaken for a plain vanilla shake.

First time we made this, 4 dates seemed like too much. We made it with 3 dates today and it was perfect! Using “fresh” pitted medjool dates from the produce section. Not the super commercial stuff. I put the 1/4c of milk in the freezer for 12 min before making it.

You can’t go wrong with this one. I use a point of good vanilla ice cream with 8 chopped dates and half a cup of milk. I prefer an immersion blender

I soaked my dates for 20 minutes in about 1/4 cup of the milk before blending. I have added a little nutmeg or a little cinnamon and found that to be delicious.

Freezing pitted dates helps to pulverize them in blender. They don’t glom together as much. I also make this with frozen fruit. Frozen avocado. And coconut milk. It’s makes a yummy milk shake if you want to skip the ice cream or make it AIP.

Barbara, use very fresh dried dates this helps.

It might be good, but it is no longer a date shake, which showcases dates, not peanut butter, bananas, and chocolate.

I am going to be that “recipe alter person” but to take it up a notch add cashew butter and cardamom!!

I wish I had an assistant to wash all the prep bowls, but the work was totally worth it. You do need the feta to balance this out, so don't skip it.

Freezing pitted dates helps to pulverize them in blender. They don’t glom together as much. I also make this with frozen fruit. Frozen avocado. And coconut milk. It’s makes a yummy milk shake if you want to skip the ice cream or make it AIP.

Shields Date Garden sells date flakes that work extremely well in a date shake. Trust me.

I soaked my dates for 20 minutes in about 1/4 cup of the milk before blending. I have added a little nutmeg or a little cinnamon and found that to be delicious.

I make a vegan version of this and it’s delicious:1 ripe banana5-6 dates1 cup OatmilkCouple dashes of cinnamonIceBlend it up well. It’s divine and comes very close to the Palm Springs treat. You could even freeze your banana ahead for a thicker version

I grew up in the Southwest and have taken many road trips to SoCal and back from AZ. A stop in Dateland was a MUST if driving on the 8. We’d even deviate to the 8 sometimes just for the purpose of stopping there. This shake is it. I live in the Midwest now and this recipe gave me big feelings. It’s perfect, and an exact match for that last little sweet treat we’d give ourselves after a quick turnaround trip to visit those Cali beaches and escape the scorching AZ summer. Just make it.

Use fresh dates and you should have no problems with the texture of your shake.

I learned this from my very SoCal mother-in-law, only with no ice cream. Frozen banana chunks and a tahini drizzle blended with well-soaked dates. Divine and still a real treat.

I am going to be that “recipe alter person” but to take it up a notch add cashew butter and cardamom!!

First time we made this, 4 dates seemed like too much. We made it with 3 dates today and it was perfect! Using “fresh” pitted medjool dates from the produce section. Not the super commercial stuff. I put the 1/4c of milk in the freezer for 12 min before making it.

Also very good with rice milk instead, peanut butter, a banana... Very rich and filling, but can also add chocolate bits and/or boba. At least this version can be nutritious, which you can't exactly say about a Starbucks Grade dessert concoction, with which this compares...

Since I don't have vanilla ice cream, is it ok if I use a substitute flavor instead? Or does it have to be made with vanilla in order for it to turn out perfectly?

Add a splash of cinnamon. You’re welcome. L

We have fond memories of the date shakes at Hadley Fruit Orchards en route from LA to Palm Springs. Now that we live in Wisconsin, the craving hits hard. First time we made this, 4 dates seemed like too much. We made it with 3 dates today and it was perfect! Using “fresh” pitted medjool dates from the produce section. Not the super commercial stuff.I put the 1/4c of milk in the freezer for 12 min before making it.

You can’t go wrong with this one. I use a point of good vanilla ice cream with 8 chopped dates and half a cup of milk. I prefer an immersion blender