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Turn simple dates into candy bar magic with just five natural ingredients. This recipe captures all those crave worthy Snickers flavors chocolate, caramel, and peanuts but uses whole food ingredients. Each bite delivers sweet chewy goodness plus protein from pure nut butter.
My sister introduced me to this recipe and it completely changed how I think about wholesome desserts. Everyone who tries these chocolate covered dates cannot believe they taste better than regular candy.
Essential Ingredients Guide
- Medjool dates (12 large): Look for soft, glossy dates that feel heavy. Fresh dates should give slightly when pressed.
- Natural peanut butter (½ cup): Choose organic with just peanuts and salt. Let it come to room temperature and stir well.
- Raw peanuts (½ cup): Select fresh unsalted nuts without any off smells. Roasted nuts add extra crunch.
- Dark chocolate (8 ounces): Pick 70% or darker chocolate. Evolved brand works perfectly for dairy free.
- Sea salt flakes (1 tablespoon): Large crystals give the perfect salty crunch.
- Optional: Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon) makes the chocolate even better.
Creating Perfect Chocolate Dates
- Getting Dates Ready
- Let dates warm up for best results. Cut a slit lengthwise to make a pocket but keep one side intact.
- Adding Peanut Butter
- Use room temperature peanut butter for easy spreading. Fill each pocket about three quarters full using a small spatula.
- Adding Nuts
- Press 2 or 3 whole peanuts into the filling. Gently pinch the date closed.
- First Freeze
- Line up filled dates on parchment without touching. Freeze 15 to 20 minutes until firm.
- Melting Chocolate
- Chop chocolate into even pieces. Microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring until mostly melted, then stir until smooth.
- Chocolate Coating
- Take dates from freezer. Use two forks to dip each one completely in chocolate, letting extra drip off.
- Final Steps
- Sprinkle salt on wet chocolate. Return to freezer 20 to 30 minutes until set.
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What started as a healthy experiment turned into our family favorite. Now my kids ask for these chocolate dates instead of store bought candy bars.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these treats slightly cool for the best bite. Set them out on a wooden board for snacking or arrange on pretty plates for parties.
Try These Variations
Mix up the flavors to create your perfect treat. Try almond butter with roasted almonds for rich nutty flavor. Cashew butter makes them extra creamy. Want nut free? Sunflower seed butter works beautifully.
Storage Tips
Keep these treats in a sealed container in your freezer for up to 3 months. Let them sit out 5 minutes before eating. Put parchment between layers so they stay perfect.
Making hundreds of these treats taught me patience creates perfect texture. Every batch reminds me wholesome ingredients make the most satisfying desserts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What nut butters work best?
- Any nut butter tastes amazing. Try creamy almond, rich cashew, or sunflower seed butter for a nut free option.
- → Where should I store them?
- The freezer keeps them perfectly firm with the best texture. They last longer frozen too.
- → Which dates should I use?
- Large, soft Medjool dates work perfectly. Their size makes them easy to fill.
- → How long will they stay fresh?
- Pop them in an airtight container in the freezer and enjoy them for several weeks.
- → Will these work with food allergies?
- They contain no dairy or gluten. For nut allergies, simply swap in seed butter and seeds.