Date Candies

Date candies are sure to be a hit for your next dinner party dessert or afternoon tea. They are sweet and crunchy very versatile and can be made in only a few minutes without even turning on the oven. There are so many different variations you can create from this basic recipe, something for everybody. The sky is the limit!

Dates have no fat, no cholesterol, very little sodium and a ton of potassium. They contain calcium, thiamin, niacin, folate, iron, riboflavin, Vitamin B6, phosphorus and magnesium. Does it get better than that?

Dates are a fresh fruit, not a dried fruit. You can store dates at room temperature for up to two months or in the refrigerator for up to one year or in the freezer for several years.

Tahini (ground sesame paste) is not only a good source of dietary fiber it is also a good source of essential fatty acids (EFA), manganese and copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, vitamin B1, zinc, vitamin E and protein.

Date Candies

• 30 whole unsalted almonds/walnuts or macadamia nuts
• 30 pitted medium size dates or medjools dates (have to hand pit)
• 1 Tablespoon Tahini
• 1 Tablespoon unpasteurized honey
• 1 Tablespoon filtered water
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ to ¾ cup sesame seeds or any finely crushed nut

Method

• Insert an almond or other nut into the center of each date.
• Press together to close the opening.
• In a small bowl combine tahini, honey, water and cinnamon and mix well.
• Roll stuffed dates in the tahini mixture, coating lightly
• Roll in sesame seeds or other finely crushed nuts until covered.
• Place dates on a wax paper lined plate.
• Store in the refrigerator for about an hour.
• Serve at room temperature.

Serving suggestions that are sure to please

• Why not offer a different selection of dates on the plate. For example:
• Date/almond/rolled in sesame, date/walnut/rolled in chocolate, date/macadamia/ rolled in crushed pecans.
• Try making the dates with piece of chocolate stuffed inside or a chocolate covered espresso bean or a ¼ teaspoon blue goat’s cheese.
• Before rolling the dates into the tahini mixture lightly roll the dates in a finely shaved dark or milk chocolate.

Mmmmm good!

Bon Appetite!...TKH