Chocolate Covered Dates

When nature gives you candy you make these Chocolate Covered Dates. These little bites are the treat to satisfy a sweet tooth. We love filling them with our homemade Nutella nut butter, or both. This is a beautiful and treat that will take just 10 minutes to make and two seconds to devour. This treat beats any chocolate bar out there for us and it’s so satisfying. It is chocolatey nutty, creamy, salty, sweet and crunchy. It tastes like a chocolate caramel treat. If you are not a lover of dates, we want you to trust us on this and make it because this recipe will change your mind.

What stands out

It couldn’t be easier to make a homemade chocolate treat from scratch that’s better than anything store bought. These Chocolate Covered Dates are the real deal. They’re chewy and smooth, with a crunchy surprise inside everyone will love. If you’re serving to guests, they’re so pretty on a platter drizzled with additional chocolate. We also think they would be beautiful on a charcuterie board so everyone can have a sweet bite with savory.

How to Prepare Chocolate Covered Dates

Start by using a knife to cut each date lengthwise down the middle.

Now, open each up and take out the pit.

Next, add a little bit of nut butter, seed butter, and/or Nutella to the middle.

You can also add a walnut or a pecan piece to the middle and press it back together. Set aside.

Now, create a double-boiler: fill a medium pot with 2 cups water and then bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Place a heatproof bowl on top of the pot (be sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the simmering water.)

Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to the bowl and stir with a spatula until it melts fully.

Take the melted chocolate off the heat and then dip the dates and coat them fully.

Place each chocolate-covered date onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for 20-30 minutes.

Remove from the freezer and drizzle on a little more melted chocolate for presentation and a pinch of sea salt if you wish.

Kitchen tip

You can also melt the chocolate in the microwave. To prevent the chocolate from seizing, be sure to stop the microwave and stir the mixture every 20-30 seconds careful not to overheat.

Swaps

1. Make this recipe vegan by using dairy-free chocolate chips and ensure your nut or seed butter is also vegan/plant-based.
2. If you are allergic to nuts, you can leave out the walnuts and use a seed butter instead.
3. Use whichever nut or seed butter you love. Have fun by experimenting with different flavor combinations.
4. Add in some additional flavors such as coconut flakes, a sprinkle of chili or even some orange zest.
5. Use whatever chocolate you love: If you prefer a sweeter treat, go for semi-sweet; for a richer, less sweet option, use dark chocolate. These would look pretty drizzled with white chocolate!

Serve it with

• Serve these as a little after-dinner treat with coffee or tea.
• Add these Chocolate Covered Dates to a cheese platter or charcuterie board. Everyone loves a little sweet bite with savory.
• Serve a couple in a little bowl with a dollop of whipped cream or coconut cream and a drizzle of honey.

Questions

what kind of chocolate should i use?

You can use either semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips. If you prefer a sweeter treat, go for semi-sweet; for a richer, less sweet option, use dark chocolate.

Do we have to use coconut oil in this chocolate covered dates recipe?

No, the coconut oil is not essential, but it does help to make the mixture smooth and shiny. If you don’t like coconut oil you can use a tablespoon of butter, or any other oil too or leave it out. br

can we make these treats vegan?

Yes, use dairy-free chocolate chips and ensure your nut or seed butter is also vegan/plant-based.

how should we store the chocolate covered dates?

Store the Chocolate Covered Dates in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for several weeks.

Ingredients

Makes 16 dates

• 16 Medjool dates
• 16 teaspoons hazelnut spread, or nut butter, or both
• 16 pieces walnuts, or pecans, or omit
• 1 cup vegan chocolate chips, or any chocolate you love
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, optional (for shine)

Equipment

• Nakiri Knife
• Cutting Board
• Large Pot
• Mixing Bowls
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Redmond Real Salt

Method

1. Start by cutting each date length wise down the middle. Open it up and take out the pit. Add a little bit of nut or seed butter and you can also use our Easy Homemade Healthier Nutella. Feel free to make some just with hazelnut spread or just nut/seed butter or even both. You can make them and fill them with anything you enjoy.
2. Optionally, you can add a walnut or a pecan and press it together. Set the dates aside and melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler on the stove.
3. In a pot we let our water come to a simmer and we add a heat-proof bowl on top. We add the chocolate chips and coconut oil and stir until it melts fully.
4. Take the melted chocolate off the heat and dip the dates and coat them fully. Place each chocolate covered date onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for 20-30 minutes.
5. Take them out of the freezer and you can drizzle on a little more melted chocolate for presentation and a pinch of sea salt if you wish.
6. Store them in a Tupperware in the fridge as they will last you for weeks. Enjoy.