I saw various versions of this recipe in viral videos with people making healthier versions of snickers bars. So, as sceptical as I was, I thought that I should try this out. This is my version of peanut butter, date and chocolate treats which actually do taste like a snicker!
Benefits of Dates
Dates are often used in healthier versions of desserts thanks to their caramel taste and while they are sweet, they contain lots of fibre to avoid blood sugar spikes and the sugars are all natural. They also contain copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron and vitamin B6. If you can find Medjool dates, they are actually fresh and not dried. Dates also contain many antioxidants (including polyphenols) which help to prevent free radical damage to our cells. So, all of these nutrients, antioxidants and fibre support our heart health, cholesterol levels and brain health. They are delicious but don’t eat them all at once! We need to eat slowly to allow our body to recognise that we are actually full. So, just eat one slice with your cuppa and keep the rest for your family or for another day.
Ingredients
- Medjool or Dried Dates X 18
- Good quality nut butter (peanut if trying to taste like snickers) x 70g
- Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao or higher) x 100g
- Almond Milk (or milk of choice) x 2 tablespoons
- Walnuts x 4
- Pumpkin seeds x 1 tablespoon
- Desiccated coconut x 1 tablespoon
Method
- Place the chocolate in squares and milk in a bowl over a pan of simmering water to let it melt gently
- Using a spatula, mix every few minutes until all melted and smooth
- Open the dates, remove the stones and place (inside upwards) flat on a sheet of baking paper on a flat plate or tray
- Place the dates neatly in rows right beside each other
- Spread the nut butter gently over all of the dates
- Pour the melted (slightly cooled) chocolate gently over the dates and nut butter
- Sprinkle with the chopped walnuts, coconut and seeds
- Place in the freezer for half an hour or until the chocolate has re-set
- Cut into 12 bars and store in an airtight container in the fridge (I like my chocolate cold!!)
- Each slice has 147 nutrient dense calories
These are so good but again, don’t eat too many of these Peanut Butter, Date & Chocolate treats at once!