Looking for a quick, no-cook dessert for Diwali or your next festive party? These rose-flavored ricotta-stuffed dates are elegant, easy to make, and absolutely delicious. They combine the creamy sweetness of ricotta with the floral aroma of rose, all tucked inside soft Medjool dates — making them a crowd-pleasing festive sweet in just a few minutes.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
Ricotta cheese and rose flavor have always been two of my favorite festive ingredients. If you’ve followed my Diwali recipes before, you know I usually share at least one ricotta dessert and one rose-flavored treat each season — like my rose-flavored cream cheese cups or gulkand panna cotta.
After skipping a couple of years, I’m making up for it with these irresistible, no-cook ricotta-stuffed dates — the perfect sweet bite for Diwali parties, get-togethers, or gifting.
We love using ricotta cheese because it’s versatile and works beautifully in many Indian fusion sweets. For this recipe, I used raw ricotta cheese. If you prefer a cooked filling, you can gently cook it for a few minutes to thicken — both versions taste amazing.
Ingredients required
- Ricotta cheese – The star of this recipe. Use full-fat ricotta for the creamiest texture.
- Condensed milk – Adds sweetness and creaminess. You can substitute sugar.
- Rose syrup – Brings that classic, floral, festive flavor. Swap saffron-cardamom for paan essence with gulkand for variations.
- Medjool dates – Soft, plump dates work best.
- Nuts – Crushed pistachios or nuts of your choice for garnish.
Alternative to ricotta cheese
Can’t find ricotta? Try these substitutes:
- Khoya / Mawa: For a richer filling. Grate, knead with milk, and mix with condensed milk.
- Paneer: Use fresh, soft paneer (homemade or good-quality store-bought). Crumble and pulse (no water!) until smooth like ricotta — not a paste.
How to make ricotta-stuffed dates
- Drain ricotta in a fine sieve or cheesecloth for at least 1 hour to remove excess water.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, condensed milk (or sugar), and rose syrup until smooth and creamy. Adjust sweetness or flavor.
- Chill the filling for 20–30 minutes to firm it up.
- Slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit if not already pitted.
- Gently open like a “boat” without splitting.
- Fill each date with the ricotta mixture using a spoon or piping bag. Smooth the top.
- Garnish with pistachios and a drizzle of rose syrup for shine.
- Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes to set.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature on a decorative platter.
Recipe notes
- Adjust the sweetness and rose flavor to your preference.
- For a thicker filling, cook the ricotta mixture briefly (see below).
- This recipe is ideal for making-ahead Diwali sweets.
Storage tips
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Best served slightly chilled — the ricotta firms up, and the dates stay soft.
Optional: Cooking the ricotta filling
Why cook it?
Ricotta has a mild, milky flavor and can be slightly grainy when raw. Cooking removes the raw taste and thickens the texture.
Stovetop Method:
- Cook the filling on low heat for 4–6 minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens and leaves the sides of the pan. Cool completely before using.
Microwave Method:
- Heat the mixture in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until thickened (2–3 minutes total). Cool before stuffing.
FAQ
Yes! These stuffed dates can be made up to 2–3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. In fact, the flavors develop beautifully overnight.
Yes, but the texture will be denser and tangier. If substituting, beat the cream cheese with the condensed milk until smooth.
No, but you can make them vegan by using plant-based ricotta or tofu, vegan condensed milk, and skipping dairy.
Saffron-cardamom, pistachio essence, paan-gulkand, orange blossom, or even chocolate drizzle make great variations.
Freezing isn’t ideal — the ricotta can release water upon thawing. Refrigeration works best.
More Indian sweets with ricotta cheese
Loved this recipe?
If you try this ricotta stuffed dates, please don’t forget to comment and rate this recipe. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I will get to it ASAP. Make sure to follow me on my Pinterest or Instagram or join my Facebook Group for recipe updates and simple Indian meal ideas.
📖 Recipe
ricotta stuffed dates.
Ingredients
Measurement Details : 1 cup = 240ml; 1 tbsp = 15ml; 1 tsp= 5ml;
- 1 cup full-fat ricotta
- ½ tbsp rose syrup
- 2 tbsp condensed milk up to 3 tbsp, depending on sweetness
- 20 Medjool dates pits removed. You can use upto 25 dates
- Extra rose syrup for drizzling
- Crushed pistachios for garnish
Instructions
- Drain ricotta in a fine sieve or cheesecloth for at least 1 hour to remove excess water.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, condensed milk (or sugar), and rose syrup until smooth and creamy. Adjust sweetness or flavor.
- Chill the filling for 20–30 minutes to firm it up.
- Slice each date lengthwise and remove the pit if not already pitted.
- Gently open like a “boat” without splitting.
- Fill each date with the ricotta mixture using a spoon or piping bag. Smooth the top.
- Garnish with pistachios and a drizzle of rose syrup for shine.
- Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes to set.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature on a decorative platter.
Video
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness and rose flavor to your preference.
- For a thicker filling, cook the ricotta mixture briefly (see below).
- This recipe is ideal for making-ahead Diwali sweets.
Nutrition
I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.
These ricotta stuffed dates made a delicious appetizers for our party, looking forward to making them again for the holidays!
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
I love everything dates, and this recipe is the perfect example why. Thank you!
:-) Thanks
I didn’t believe it was a. no-cook recipe until I digged into it. Oh wow. What an awesome one to keep handy!
Thanks :-)
We make stuffed dates every Christmas but this filling is superb! These were so delicious…so glad I decided to give it a test run before the holidays…cannot wait to make again!
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
This is such a simple, elegant appetizer! Dates are naturally sweet, and the ricotta filling sounds like the perfect creamy contrast. Great idea for a light snack or party bite!
Absolutely. It’s very customizable too
These are crazy good. I saw no cook, so I snagged everything yesterday and gave them a try. I love the flavors.
Thank you. Really appreciate it.
This is fantastic! It’s so festive and tasty, but it’s ALSO so easy.
Thank you.
Oooh, this was good. The pistachio garnish was so nice with the ricotta and dates.
I love that combination of rose and pistachios. Thanks a lot
These are fantastic. I loved the sweet and savory flavors, and the rose was such a nice touch.
Yeah I love the floral notes of rose and you will find quite a few rose based recipes on my blog.
This recipe is so amazing! I love the combination of the savory, creamy ricotta with the sweetness of the dates.
Thank you
Made these for a potluck and everyone loved it! So happy they were easy to make.
Thanks a lot