These homemade chocolate dates have become my new favourite go to snack when I’m feeling low on energy. If you find yourself reaching for an unhealthy snack when you hit a slump in the afternoon, then these indulgent treats will provide you with a much healthier option.
The recipe calls for just 4 ingredients and it can be put together in about 10 minutes. These chocolate dates are gluten free, nut free and vegetarian.
Chocolate covered dates are the perfect taste combination of sweet, bitter and salty. They are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Perfect for serving at parties, or for keeping in your fridge to snack on throughout the week. This recipe is intended to make a serving size of 12 individual chocolate dates.
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Ingredients
- Dark chocolate 90g
- Medjool dates 500g (approximately 12 individual dates)
- Pink Himalayan or Celtic Sea Salt
- Freeze dried raspberries
Notes on the Ingredients
I like to use Green & Black’s Organic dark chocolate with 70% cocoa for this recipe, but any good quality dark chocolate can be used.
Medjool dates work well for this recipe, preferably organic. Deglet Noor dates will also work well. If the dates are not already pitted then you will need to remove the stones yourself.
I like to use a good quality salt like Pink Himalayan or Celtic Sea Salt. You will only need a sprinkle of ground salt flakes on each chocolate date.
Freeze dried raspberries can be found in the baking aisle of most supermarkets. This is an optional addition to the recipe though and you can leave these out if you prefer.
Kitchen Tools
Sharp knife
Pyrex dish/ measuring jug or other heat proof dish
Saucepan
Tongs (a fork and spoon can be used if you don’t have these)
Storage container (ideally glass) with a lid
Method
Step 1 – Prepare the dates
If your dates still have their stones inside then use a sharp knife and cutting board to remove the stones before covering them with chocolate. Some people like to fill the dates with some form of nut butter once the stones have been removed, but I think they taste good without it.
Your dates should feel nice and soft if you squeeze them gently. If your dates feel firm then you can soften them by placing them in a bowl of boiling water for 5 minutes, before moving on to the next step.
Step 2 – Melt the chocolate
Melt the dark chocolate. Break up the dark chocolate into small chunks and place into a heat proof dish or measuring jug. Bring a small pan of water to the boil on the hob and place the dish (or measuring jug) over the top. You will only need an inch or so of water in the pan.
The heat from the steam of the boiling water will slowly start to melt the chocolate. Keep stirring the chocolate until it is completely smooth and melted.
Alternatively you can melt the chocolate using a microwave, but you have to be really careful not to burn it. If you do choose to do it this way then check and stir the chocolate every 15 seconds or so, to make sure it doesn’t catch. Burnt chocolate is not pleasant!
Step 3 – Cover the dates with chocolate
Lay out some baking/parchment paper ready to place the chocolate covered dates on. A good trick is to crunch up the paper first, then smooth it out to lay flat. Scrunching it up first should help to stop it from rolling up at the edges.
It’s a good idea to lay your parchment paper flat on a cutting board, which will make it easier to transfer the dates to the fridge once they have been assembled.
Place one date at a time into the melted chocolate. Use a spoon or some serving tongs to roll the date in the melted chocolate to ensure that it is fully covered.
Remove the date from the melted chocolate with a spoon, fork or tongs and place on to the parchment paper.
Step 4 – Add your toppings
Sprinkle a little bit of salt and a few freeze dried raspberries over the top, before the melted chocolate starts to set.
Alternative toppings you can use are crushed nuts or coconut flakes.
Step 5 – Refrigerate & Store
Once all of your dates are covered in melted chocolate and your chosen toppings, carefully transfer them to the refrigerator to set. It helps if you can keep them flat by placing the parchment paper on a cutting board, or in a dish.
It will take approximately 30 minutes for the melted chocolate to set. Once the chocolate has hardened off, the dates can be handled more easily and you can either store them or start eating!
Store the dates in a container (ideally glass) with an airtight lid.
These dates can be kept in the fridge for up to a week. I have not tried freezing them, but I don’t see any reason why you cannot.
I eat a couple of these chocolate dates in the afternoon just before the school run, to give me a sugary boost of energy. It’s a great alternative to the junk food I would usually grab when I hit an afternoon slump.
Each bite of these chocolate dates provides the perfect combination of a sweet, bitter and salty taste. The dates taste like caramel, the dark chocolate has a lovely bitterness to it and the salt is well… salty!
I really hope you enjoy this recipe. Please consider PINNING this recipe for later.
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