Authentic Fig & Date Roll Recipe – Poppy Seed Indian Sweet

Last Updated on 2 months by Neha Deshmukh

Authentic Fig & Date Roll Recipe – Poppy Seed Indian Sweet

Hey everyone! If you’re anything like me, you have a soft spot for those melt-in-your-mouth Indian sweets that just feel like home. Today, I’m sharing a recipe that’s been a family favorite for years – these gorgeous Fig & Date Rolls, coated in fragrant poppy seeds. They’re surprisingly easy to make, and the combination of sweet dates, chewy figs, and crunchy nuts is simply divine. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be making them for every festival and special occasion!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These aren’t your average burfis. The fig and date combination gives a beautiful, natural sweetness and a lovely texture. Plus, the poppy seeds add a delightful nutty aroma and a satisfying crunch. They’re a little different, a little special, and always a crowd-pleaser. Honestly, I first made these trying to recreate a version my grandmother used to make, and it took a few tries to get it just right – but it was so worth it!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these beauties:

• 10 dates (approx. 150g)
• 30 figs (approx. 200g)
• 3 tablespoons nuts (cashew, badam/almonds – about 30g)
• 2 teaspoons ghee (approx. 10ml)
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (khus khus – approx. 15g)
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom powder (approx. 0.5g)

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients – getting these right makes all the difference!

Figs: Selecting and Preparing

Look for plump, slightly soft figs. Dried figs work wonderfully, but if using fresh, make sure they’re ripe. Briefly soaking the dried figs in hot water (just 10-15 minutes) helps soften them for easier grinding.

Dates: Varieties and Quality

Medjool dates are fantastic because of their soft, caramel-like flavor, but any soft, good-quality dates will do. Make sure they’re pitted, of course!

Nuts: The Traditional Blend (Cashew, Almond) & Substitutions

Traditionally, cashew and almond (badam) are used, offering a lovely balance of flavors and textures. Feel free to experiment! Pistachios or walnuts would also be delicious additions. Roughly chop them for a nice bite.

Ghee: Clarified Butter – Importance & Alternatives

Ghee adds a richness and aroma that’s hard to beat. It also helps prevent the mixture from sticking. If you don’t have ghee, you can use unsalted butter, but ghee really elevates the flavor. (Approx. 2 teaspoons = 10ml)

Poppy Seeds (Khus Khus): Roasting for Aroma

Don’t skip roasting the poppy seeds! It brings out their nutty aroma and adds another layer of flavor. Just a quick dry roast is all you need.

Cardamom Powder: Freshly Ground vs. Store-Bought

Freshly ground cardamom is always best – the aroma is incredible! But good quality store-bought cardamom powder works just fine in a pinch.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking!

1. First, deseed and roughly chop the dates. Then, briefly soak the figs in hot water to soften them up.
2. In a pan, roast the chopped nuts in ghee until they turn golden brown and fragrant. Set them aside to cool.
3. Now, grind the soaked figs to a smooth paste. Add the dates and grind again until you have a combined fig-date paste.
4. Transfer the fig-date mixture to a pan and cook it in ghee over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Stir constantly until it forms a non-sticky mass that pulls away from the sides of the pan. This is key!
5. Mix in the roasted nuts and let the mixture cool completely.
6. Dry roast the poppy seeds in a separate pan until they become aromatic. Be careful not to burn them!
7. Once the fig-date mixture is cool enough to handle, shape it into logs. You can use your hands or a piece of parchment paper to help.
8. Roll the logs in the roasted poppy seeds, ensuring they’re fully coated.
9. Wrap the rolls in butter paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving. This helps them firm up nicely.

Expert Tips

A few little things that can make a big difference:

• Achieving the Perfect Non-Sticky Consistency: This is the most important part! Keep cooking the fig-date mixture until it completely comes together and doesn’t stick to the pan. It takes patience, but it’s worth it.
• Roasting Nuts to Golden Perfection: Keep a close eye on the nuts while roasting. They burn easily! A lovely golden-brown color is what you’re aiming for.
• Working with Fig Paste: Fig paste can be a little sticky. Lightly greasing your hands or using parchment paper will make shaping the logs much easier.
• Rolling Technique for Neat Logs: A little trick I learned from my mom – dampen your hands slightly with water before rolling. It prevents the mixture from sticking.

Variations

Want to put your own spin on things? Here are a few ideas:

• Vegan Fig & Date Roll: Substitute the ghee with coconut oil for a delicious vegan version.
• Gluten-Free Fig & Date Roll: This recipe is naturally gluten-free! Just double-check that your cardamom powder doesn’t contain any hidden gluten.
• Spice Level Adjustment (Adding a Hint of Ginger or Nutmeg): My friend loves adding a pinch of grated ginger or nutmeg to the fig-date mixture for a warming spice.
• Festival Adaptations (Diwali, Holi): These rolls are perfect for gifting during festivals! You can decorate the butter paper with festive designs.

Serving Suggestions

These rolls are wonderful on their own with a cup of chai. They also pair beautifully with a glass of warm milk before bed. I love serving them as part of a larger Indian sweets platter.

Storage Instructions

Store the rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They actually taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together!

FAQs

Let’s answer some common questions:

What is the best way to store these rolls to maintain their freshness?

Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. Wrapping them individually in butter paper helps prevent them from sticking together.

Can I use other types of nuts in this recipe?

Absolutely! Pistachios, walnuts, or even pecans would be delicious.

How can I tell if the fig-date mixture is cooked enough?

It should form a non-sticky mass that pulls away from the sides of the pan. It will take about 5-7 minutes of constant stirring.

What is the significance of poppy seeds in this sweet?

Poppy seeds add a lovely nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch. They’re also believed to have cooling properties in Ayurveda.

Can this recipe be made ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the rolls a day or two in advance. They actually benefit from sitting in the fridge, as the flavors develop.