Fruit paste is a whole food sweetener that you can use as an alternative to refined sugar.
Prep Time2 minutesmins
Cook Time5 minutesmins
Total Time2 hourshrs
Course: Spreads
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1cup
Ingredients
1/2cupdried, pitted fruit of choicedates, figs, mangoes, apricots
1cupwater
1wholevanilla beanoptional
Instructions
In a small bowl add the fruit, water and vanilla bean (optional), and let the fruit soak for 1-2 hours.
In a blender add the mixture and blend until smooth. Add water if necessary to make it the consistency you need. If you are baking with this paste, use less water. Or you can use the soaking liquid for the paste.
Store covered in the refrigerator up to one week.
It can be frozen up to several months. This is where an ice-cube tray comes in handy.
Notes
For other alternatives: add a pinch of ground spice such as allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, or a splash of fresh lemon juice, or sea salt.