When I was younger, I remember being so excited to go to the mall because it had a See’s Candies in it! My friends and I would routinely stop by for our free chocolate (and buy one too of course) on our way to Claire’s. I would always get some caramel variation that is the perfect combo of salty and sweet.
There turtle dates remind me of a caramel chocolate with half the sugar but the same perfect sweet/salty taste.
Note: Best kept in the freezer. They won’t freeze completely but it will keep the chocolate hard without eliminating the chewiness of the date.
Ingredients:
- 10 Medjool dates
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
- 20 macadamia nuts OR 10 brazil nuts
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- flakey sea salt (optional)
You will also need unbleached parchment paper.
Directions:
- Use a knife to make a vertical cut halfway through each date. Remove pits if they are not pitted already.
- Add a dollop of natural peanut butter and press two macadamia nuts or one brazil nut into the date. Try to close the sides around it a bit. Stuff all dates.
- Add the dark chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at power level 5 (50% power to ensure the chocolate melts correctly) for 30 seconds*. Stir and repeat this step until the chocolate is almost melted with just some chunks. Once there are just some chunks, stir quickly until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Line a plate or a small cutting board with the parchment paper and one at a time, set the stuffed dates in the chocolate and spoon the mixture over them until they are completely covered. Then scrape any dripping chocolate off of the bottom and set them onto the parchment paper.
- When all the dates are covered, sprinkle with flakey sea salt.
- Freeze for 2-3 hours for best results. Store in the freezer.
*Note: Microwaving is important, as melting on the stove will overheat the chocolate and prevent it from having a nice snap when you bite into it.
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