Can we please just all agree that dates are one of the best things of all time? Like, c’mon. Can’t go wrong with a good ‘old fashioned date. Truly. And then when you eat them after they’ve been refrigerated?! Forget about it. It’s magic.
Especially when you use medjool dates. They’re extra juicy, plump, and oh so delicious on their own, or with toppings.
What Are Snickers Dates
Needless to say, I’m pretty jazzed about this recipe for a few reasons. First of all, well…the dates. Obviously. I don’t think I need to say more on this topic.
Second, it’s super simple. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can make these snickers dates. This isn’t one of those recipes where you have five million ingredients that are from super speciality stores, and then the author claims it’s easy. No, snickers dates are really the easiest sweet treat to whip up in a matter of minutes. And the ingredients are easy to come by.
And third, this is a raw vegan dessert! Although I’m not vegan anymore, I’m still dairy-free. And I tend to shy away from refined sugar. All of which can make finding desserts a little challenging. Snickers dates are gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, and totally vegan.
Oh yeah, I should say the fourth reason I love this recipe is because it’s delicious! Whether you’re looking for a vegan dessert, or not, I’m sure your sweet tooth will be satisfied once you try these.
How To Make Nut Butter
We all know that snickers come with peanuts, and some nougaty goodness that can be somewhat replicated with nut butter. Now, if you prefer to buy your nut butter at the store pre-made, then you can just skip right through this section.
If you’re like me, and like to make your own, then keep reading to find out how to make your own nut butter. Don’t worry, it’s probably the easiest thing in the world.
The most important component when you’re making nut butter is that you have a good blender. I’ve been using the Vitamix for years, and wouldn’t even consider using anything else. It’s pricey, but it’s an investment well-worth it if you find yourself cooking a lot. Trust me, those cheaper blades just won’t cut it when it comes to blending nuts.
Step 1: Choose Your Nuts
You can pick out any kind of nut that you want for your nut butter. You can also choose seeds! Sunflower butter or pumpkin seed butter are all the rage, but they are quite a bit more bitter. So make sure you choose something that you like.
Step 2: Roast Nuts
Roasting nuts tends to bring out a more robust flavor. This isn’t necessary, just a suggestion if you want a stronger flavor to your nuts. Otherwise, keep them raw, and continue on.
Step 3: Blend Nuts
That’s right all you have to do is blend the nuts until they’re to the consistency that you want them. You don’t need to add any oil, as they produce oil on their own. If you prefer to add salt, then sprinkle that in before you blend.
ENJOY!
How To Make Coconut Butter
Okay, so snickers are a little less about coconut, and more about nuts. But, sometimes my snickers dates people like to have a dash of coconut in there just to keep things interesting. The tastiest way to sneak coconut in is through coconut butter. Which, don’t worry, is also super easy to make if you can’t find it at the store.
Step 1: Dried Coconut Flakes
I prefer this brand of organic coconut flakes, as I know the quality is super good. They also provide a delicious flavor to the coconut butter, which is the main priority.
Step 2: Blend Coconut
I would avoid toasting the coconut like you would the nuts, because coconut burns really easily. If you want toasted coconut, then buy the flakes already toasted insead. Trust me, the heat of the blender will naturally toast the coconut flakes, so you don’t need to do it in the blender. Blend on a high speed until creamy and smooth.
ENJOY!
Ingredients for Snickers Dates
Nut Butter: homemade or store bought
Organic coconut oil
Sea salt
How To Make Snickers Dates
Serving size 10 dates
I like to make a big batch, and then keep it in the refrigerator rather than just one or two at a time. Don’t forget that if you go this route, that you’ll want to set the dates on parchment paper as they get cold, otherwise they’ll stick to your plate or tupperware. Also, if you’re going to keep them in the fridge for a while, make sure they’re covered with a lid so they don’t go hard.
For the chocolate, you have the option to fully cover the full date, or just drizzle chocolate over. I personally prefer the drizzle, because the date is already so sweet, I don’t need a lot of chocolate. You do you.
- Pit 10 dates, and press in the center for stuffing to fit.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop nut butter of choice into the center of the pitted dates.
- Sprinkle nut butter with sea salt.
- Heat up 2 – 4 squares of organic, vegan chocolate with a teaspoon of coconut oil on a low heat.
- Drizzle chocolate over stuffed dates.
- Place dates on parchment paper first, then put in the refrigerator for a minimum of 20 minutes.
- Once cool and hardened, enjoy!
See more healthy recipes here.
xx,
K