Let’s go on a double date;) just me, you and our sweet dates. These chocolate sea salt dipped dates and peanut butter stuffed dates with granola and banana are like the perfect kiss goodnight. A beautiful way to end the night. Eat them as a sweet treat after dinner, or as a healthy way to add some sugar to your day.

Medjool dates are such a delicious natural sweetener. They really do taste like candy, and I like to fancy them up a bit by dipping, stuffing or sprinkling them with flavors galore. But, dates are also delicious eaten on their own and frozen. They get super chewy and just yum!

Meet our double dates:

Double Date N°1: Tall, Dark and Handsome

Chocolate Sea salt dipped Dates sprinkled with Sesame seeds

These chocolate sea salt dates with sesame seeds are a wonderful balance of salty and sweet. Sea salt + Dates = Healthy Caramel? The dark chocolate is rich and the sesame seeds really take this treat up a notch. They are quite elegant, and honestly I can picture them packaged and sold in any french market! One of my favorite boutique markets in Paris, Hédonie, sells the most delicious chocolate covered figs which inspired this recipe.

These dates are also so easy to make, they require barely any ingredients and taste, almost, as good as a chocolate truffle. Just kidding, they are definitely just as good, if you have the acquired taste.

All you need is:

• pitted medjool dates
• dark chocolate
• coconut oil
• sea salt
• sesame seeds

Since the dark chocolate is subtle, these dates are a beautiful and special addition to a cheese platter. Here I used Humboldt Fog cheese, similar to goat cheese; and seed and dried fruit crackers to complement the dates. I highly recommend serving these as an appetiser at your next gathering.

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Double Date N°2: Tough on the outside, Sweet on the inside

Dates stuffed with peanut butter topped with granola and banana

A little less luxurious, but no less delicious, these peanut butter dates are the definition of luscious. Creamy, sweet, crunchy, chewy, truly a perfectly textured bite. I love peanut butter, but add it to a sweet date and I’m in love at first sight. The granola and banana add some extra flare, but let’s be honest they’re third wheeling, because hello peanut butter I can’t take my eyes off you!

Now, dates aren’t actually the biggest vessel for stuffing, so it can be hard to fit all of these elements into one single date. You might have some over flow. (It was a little hard getting them to stand upright for the picture, I think they were a little top heavy… oops).

All you need is:

• pitted medjool dates
• creamy peanut butter
• cluster granola
• sliced banana

These dates are a really good afternoon snack, whether you have a sweet tooth or you’re heading to a workout. They aren’t too filling, but they are nutrient dense so they’ll surely give you a boost of energy. Goodbye, energy drinks, we’re so over. I’m dating someone new now.

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Join me on the double date and make these wonderfully gourmet and healthy treats. Whether it be an afternoon coffee date, or a late night out, these dates will make a memorable first impression.

Comment below how you use dates in recipes!