A few months ago, I made this recipe for no-bake dessert bars with dates and honey, and with it, my lengthy “Ode to dates” where I talked about their nutritional benefits; dates as an energy-boosting snack; and the connection between dates and Middle Eastern hospitality… Nature’s candy, dates remain the best way I sweeten my life. I continue to eat a couple of mejdool dates before working out, and I have also used medjool dates in salads and power shakes. When I have a few strips of bacon around, I make these addictive stuffed dates wrapped in bacon.

The idea for today’s chocolate-covered date recipe came to me at a Middle Eastern grocery store–I had spotted a rather pricey box of these treats; I put them down two seconds later and decided to make them at home instead. What makes these homemade candies special is the intensity of semi-sweet chocolate combined with the melt-in-your mouth sweet medjool dates. The stuffed almonds inside each date and the little almond-pistachio garnish add crunch and texture, while balancing the sweetness.

These chocolate covered dates are an easy option for a gluten-free dessert, and depending on the kind of chocolate, it can be a vegan dessert. And I think they would make a special holiday edible gift for friends and family!

Here is the step-by-step for today’s chocolate covered date recipe with almonds:

Cut a slit in each date and remove the pit. In place of the pit press in an almond. Enclose the dates to completely cover the almonds and set aside in a bowl or tray. Place the chocolate chips, canola oil and ground cinnamon in a heat-safe bowl that fits tightly on top of a pot with barley simmering water. Stir regularly until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove from the heat. Drop the the dates, one-at-a-time, in the melted chocolate, and roll gently to coat the dates. Remove with a spoon and carefully set on a tray lined with parchment paper.

Once you have the chocolate-covered dates assembled on the tray, sprinkle each lightly with the mixture of crushed almonds and pistachios. Chill in the freezer for about 1 hour or until the chocolate hardens. Leave at room temperature for 10 minutes before ready to serve. Enjoy!

  Try these delicious recipes: 5 from 8 reviews Tahini Brownies Easy No-Bake Dessert Bars with Honey, Nuts and Dates Middle Eastern Rice Pudding Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon

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