Healthy Date Candy
This rich Date Candy made with Medjool dates, dark chocolate, and almonds tastes just like a classic candy bar using simple, real ingredients, without refined sugar or dairy to satisfy your sweet tooth naturally.
Servings: 10 Servings
Calories: 249kcal
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool Dates pitted
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- ½ Cup Maple Syrup
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 10-15 Almonds
- 1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips I use Hu or Lily’s
- 1 Teaspoon Coconut Oil
- Shredded Coconut toasted
Instructions
- Remove pits from 12 Medjool dates and blend them in a food processor with 1 cup cocoa powder, ½ cup maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon salt. Pulse briefly, then blend continuously for 45-60 seconds until you have a thick, sticky dough that holds together like cookie dough. Let the dough chill for 10 minutes in the freezer to make shaping easier.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into small ovals. Press a whole almond into the top and flatten slightly so it sits flush. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for another 10 minutes.
- Melt the dark chocolate with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in 10-second increments in the microwave. Working quickly, dip each frozen date piece into the chocolate using a fork, letting excess drip off. Sprinkle toasted shredded coconut over the chocolate while it's wet.
- Return the coated date candies to the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes until the chocolate hardens. Enjoy or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Prevent Sticky Hands: The dough can be slightly sticky. Lightly wet your palms with water when rolling the date dough. The moisture prevents sticking without adding extra liquid to the recipe.
- The Perfect Chocolate Shell: Plain melted dark chocolate turns rock-hard in the freezer and shatters when you bite into it. Stir 1 teaspoon of coconut oil into the melted chocolate to create a shell that sets firm but stays slightly flexible for the perfect bite.
- Choosing the Right Dates: Medjool dates are ideal because of their higher invert sugar content and naturally soft, caramel-like texture. Deglet Noor dates can be used, but they are firmer, harder to pit, and lack the same delicious texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0.2mg | Sodium: 255mg | Potassium: 489mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 2mg
