Chocolate Covered Dates (Vegan Snickers)
These Chocolate Covered Dates taste just like snickers! All you need for these tasty sweets is chocolate, dates, peanut butter, and sea salt. Learn how to make them in just a few simple steps!
Servings: 12
Calories: 25kcal
Equipment
- 1 parchment paper
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 saucepan
Ingredients
- 12 dates pitted
- 2 tablespoon nut butter of choice
- 10 oz high-quality chocolate or baking chips i.e. Ghirardelli, Guittard, etc.
- 2 teaspoon coconut oil optional
- flaky sea salt
Optional Toppings
- Chopped nuts optional
- Shredded coconut optional
- 2 oz Melted white chocolate, ruby chocolate, or milk chocolate optional
Instructions
- Prepare dates - Slice the dates lengthwise without cutting all the way through to create a pocket and remove the pit. Add about a half teaspoon of nut butter inside each date pocket. Gently squeeze the date back together to enclose the nut butter. Place the filled dates on a parchment-paper lined plate and set aside.12 dates, 2 tablespoon nut butter of choice
- Melt chocolate (double boiler or microwave) - Use a double boiler or microwave to melt ⅔ of the chocolate and coconut oil, if using. If you microwave the chocolate, place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and heat in the microwave in 30 second increments at 50% power and stir in between each interval until melted and smooth. This will help melt the chocolate and prevent the chocolate from burning. Gradually stir in the remaining ⅓ chocolate in small amounts at a time until the chocolate is completely melted. This will temper the chocolate and give the dates a nice shine. See double-boiler instructions if using.10 oz high-quality chocolate or baking chips, 2 teaspoon coconut oil
- Dip the dates - Submerge a date in the chocolate until thoroughly coated and use a fork to lift the date out of the chocolate. Tap the fork on the edge of the bowl and allow the excess chocolate to drip in the bowl. Place the date on the parchment paper and continue the process until all the dates are dipped. Alternatively, you can place the dates on a parchment-paper lined plate and drizzle with chocolate for less chocolate. Finally, top each date with flaky sea salt and/or chopped nuts.flaky sea salt, Chopped nuts, Shredded coconut, 2 oz Melted white chocolate, ruby chocolate, or milk chocolate
- Chill the dates - Place the dates in the refrigerator to set the chocolate and chill in the freezer for at least 20 minutes until the chocolate is set.
Notes
How to Use a Double-Boiler
- Use a saucepan and a heat resistant glass or metal bowl to make a double-boiler.
- Fill the saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and bring to a simmer. You do not need the water to boil to warm the bowl. The bowl should fit on the saucepan without touching the water, or the bowl will get too hot. Place the bowl on top of the saucepan and add the ⅔ of the chocolate. Stir the chocolate until melted then remove from the heat. If using a thermometer, the chocolate should register around 115°F and no higher than 120°F.
- Carefully wipe the bottom of the bowl with a dish towel to ensure no condensation or water drips onto your work space or in the chocolate.
- Gradually stir in the remaining ⅓ chocolate in small amounts at a time until the chocolate is completely melted. This will temper the chocolate and give the strawberries a nice shine. At this point, the chocolate should be between 84°F and 89°F.
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- Use high-quality chocolate such as Ghirardelli, Lily’s, Guittard, or Trader Joe’s baking chocolate or chocolate chips for best results. Cheap chocolate chips have fillers and do not melt well.
- Chocolate and water do not work well together. Make sure your surface area is completely dry or the chocolate will seize and not stick.
- If the melted dipping chocolate starts to harden, warm the chocolate in the microwave or place it back on the double boiler for a few seconds and stir to reuse.
- If you are using chopped chocolate, make sure the chocolate pieces are about the same size to ensure even melting.
- If using a glass bowl to double boil, it will take longer to cool and temper than a metal bowl. Only use glass in a microwave as metal is not microwave safe.
Nutrition
Calories: 25kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 0.1mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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