I've been eating so many delicious dates lately. My parents picked the tastiest Medjool dates right from the trees. I've been trying to incorporate them in different recipes. I came across the viral date bark recipe and decided to test my own version. Once you learn this super simple technique, the possibilities are endless for how creative you can get with your flavors & toppings!
This Date Bark recipe combines chewy Medjool dates with peanut butter, crunchy pistachios and chocolate; so good! This Date Bark brings together the satisfaction of a chocolate bar with the yummy wholesome goodness of natural ingredients. I told my son to think of it as a healthier twist on a candy bar that he likes, like Snickers. He likes me to make his with peanuts instead of pistachios. The Medjool dates add an almost caramel like flavor to the bark. When you mix that with the creamy peanut butter, crunchy nuts of your choice, and the richness of the chocolate, every bite becomes a harmony of delicious flavors and amazing textures!
My grandma always said that often times the most delicious treats are born from the simplest of ingredients. These words are very true about this Date Bark. It's a rich and tasty blend of nature’s candy: the date. Add to that the decadent chocolate and nutty flavors and you have magic! You may be thinking “How can dates taste like a candy bar?" Trust me, one bite in, and you’ll get hooked! It’s a healthier spin on a classic candy bar and a fun way to eat dates. So if you like candy bars but don't want the unhealthy ingredients in them, this Date Bark is for you! Give my recipe a try, it's easy and delicious!
INGREDIENTS:
12 large Medjool dates, pitted
5 tablespoons of peanut butter, melted
1/4 cup roasted nuts, chopped (I used pistachios, almonds, cashews & peanuts work well too)
3/4 cup of chocolate chips, melted
STEPS:
Line a large cutting board with a silicone baking mat or a piece of parchment paper.
Spread the pitted dates open and lay them side by side so they form a sheet of flattened dates. Use the bottom of a glass cup to press the dates into an even, flat layer. Squish them!
Drizzle the peanut butter on top of the dates.
Sprinkle the chopped nuts on top.
Drizzle the melted chocolate on top of the date bark. (To melt the chocolate, add the chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring between each burst, until fully melted and creamy. This should take just under 2 minutes, depending on your microwave.)
Use a spoon to spread it around so it coats everything.
Transfer the lined cutting board to your freezer, make sure it sits flat and level. Chill in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Remove from the freezer and break or cut the date bark and enjoy! Bon appétit!
