Chocolate Covered Dates

Perfectly sweet.

Delicious and nutritious snacks are always needed, but often lacking. When I look around on the street, I notice many people eating a chocolate bar from the supermarket, a bag of crisps, a can of salted peanuts or sweet pastry from the bakery. But people, where are the apples, the handful of nuts, the dried fruits like prunes or figs or dates? Such foods are so easily accessible and they make such a great, satisfying snack! Especially if they are combined with smooth peanut butter or homemade chocolate, as will be the case for the recipe you are about to be introduced to. But first, let’s learn something about these dates, shall we? 

Servings: 12 dates (you decide how many portions that makes)

Total time: 35 min

For the dates

Ingredients

12 dates, pitted

¼ cup coconut oil

¼ cup cocoa powder

½ tsp vanilla extract

2 tablespoons coconut, date or maple syrup

¼ cup shredded coconut

Instructions

1. Line a plate or a small tray with baking paper and place the dates on it, with about 2cm of free space in between. Make sure that whatever prop you choose fits into your freezer.

2. In a small pan, melt the coconut oil and stir in the cocoa until no clumps are left. This process will be really quick because coconut oil already turns soft at room temperature. Once the mixture has softened and turns smooth and creamy, stir in the coconut syrup and vanilla extract.

3. With a spoon, carefully drizzle the liquid chocolate over each date and top it up with some shredded coconut. It is no problem if some chocolate bits melt together on the baking paper, you can simply break them up once they’re hardened.

4. Place the dates in your freezer for at least 20-30 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.

5. While eating them, do not forget to notice how your homemade chocolate melts in your mouth! Congratulations, this is the first step to becoming a chocolatier. By the way, I can very much recommend to eat these little date-treats with a liiiiiittle bit of your favourite peanut butter. It won’t harm ya, instead it will make your heart and soul happy!