I have come to the realization that a healthy dessert scratches my daily itch for a sweet treat, and so I am making an effort to keep more “better for me” options on hand for when the craving inevitably strikes. I gotta be honest, I was veryyyy skeptical of a date tasting anything like a dessert and boy was I wrong. I think the sweetness from the date actually allows for a less sweet chocolate. Also, you can really make these what you want them. Sub a different nut butter for the peanut butter, choose different mix ins or don’t add any, use whatever chocolate you enjoy! Give them a try and let me know what you think.
Step One: Start by slicing your dates lengthwise but only so that the knife cuts through one side, allowing you room to remove the pit and creating a pocket for the peanut butter.
Step Two: In a bowl, mix together your peanut butter and whatever you want to add in to it if you choose to do so. I added the pumpkin seeds and hemp hearts for a nice crunch (and added nutrition!)
Step Three: Line a baking sheet (you need something you can stick into your freezer, so use two plates if that works better for your space) with parchment or wax paper.
Step Four: Using a tiny spoon, fill each of the dates with the peanut butter mixture until full then place on the parchment paper.
Step Five: Once all dates are filled, place into the freezer to harden slightly (5-10 minutes; it’s just easier to roll in the chocolate if the peanut butter has hardened a bit)
Step Six: While dates are in the freezer, grab a shallow bowl and melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth
Step Seven: Place your bowl of chocolate on the counter right next to your dates, and one by one roll/dip each of the dates into the chocolate until it is fully coated (I like to use a fork to dip the date in and a small spatula to scrape all the chocolate off of the sides of the bowl); return the date right back to it’s same place on the parchment paper)
Step Eight: If you have extra chocolate or peanut butter feel free to grab a few more dates and stuff them. I got 20 but you might get more or less depending on the size of the date.
Step Nine: Sprinkle with maldon salt, then return the sheet to the freezer for a final hardening (approx. 10 minutes)
Step Ten: Once hardened, transfer to a container and store in the fridge (I prefer the fridge over the freezer bc the nut butter gets too hard in the freezer). These are good for about two weeks (if they last that long!). Hope you enjoy!!
20
servingsChocolate dipped, peanut butter filled damn good dates.
20 medjool dates
1 cup creamy peanut butter (can sub almond butter)
(Optional) 2 tbs pumpkin seeds
(Optional) 1 tbs hemp seeds
1 cup extra dark chocolate chips
1 tbs coconut oil
1 tbs flaky sea salt (I use maldon salt)
Mom to four wonderful little people. While they sleep, I cook.