Are you looking for a treat that’s free of tricks? Try this easy-to-make candy with chewy and caramelly dates, tasty nut butter, and delectable chocolate. It’s quick to make and way healthier than a candy bar! They’re particularly good if you store them in the freezer (like a frozen Snickers).
On the Ingredient
- Dates are a type of fruit that come from the date palm tree. Dates have been enjoyed in the Middle East for at least 9000 years, and today, they are cultivated across northern Africa, the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, Australia, South Asia, and California. Dried dates are a very popular snack and are enjoyed in various savory and sweet preparations. Because of their natural sweetness, they are also a popular method of sweetening treats without processed sugar. The two main types of dates enjoyed in the US are Medjool, plump and sweet, and Deglet, smaller, drier, and milder. Dates are very nutritious and are low on the glycemic index despite their sweetness. (Read more about dates.)
- Dark chocolate has all kinds of proven health benefits dark chocolate. For instance, did you know that chocolate is actually very nutritious? A 100-gram bar of dark chocolate with 70–85% cocoa contains something like 11 grams of fiber, 67% of the RDI for iron, 58% of the RDI for magnesium, 89% of the RDI for copper, 98% of the RDI for manganese. It also has plenty of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium. Chocolate is also a powerful antioxidant, filled with organic compounds like polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins. Some studies show chocolate may help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. There’s also a possibility that it reduces the risk of heart disease. Heck, dark chocolate might even make you smarter because cocoa contains stimulant substances like caffeine and theobromine, which can improve brain function in the short term.
Recipe Notes and Substitutions
To make these candies keto, vegan, or paleo friendly, simply select the appropriate type of chocolate chips.
Healthy Candy - Chocolate Date Bark
Servings
24
servingsPrep time
10
minutesFreezing time
20
minutesTotal time
30
minutesAre you looking for a treat that's free of tricks? Try this easy-to-make candy with chewy and caramelly dates, tasty nut butter, and delectable chocolate. It's quick to make and way healthier than a candy bar!
Ingredients
12 Medjool dates
1/4 cup nut butter
1/4 cup chocolate chips
pinch of sea salt
Directions
- Split the dates open and remove the pit.
- Line the dates up on a piece of parchment paper in three rows of four, with the dates touching. Place another piece of parchment paper on top.
- Use a rolling pin to flatten the dates into a roughly 1/8-inch rectangle. Peel the top piece of parchment off.
- Spread the nut butter over the dates.
- Melt the chocolate chips either over a double boiler or in the microwave. Spread the chocolate over the nut butter. Sprinkle with sea salt.
- Place in the freeze and let harden for 20 minutes.
- Cut the bark into 24 pieces, and enjoy!
