Arabian delights chocodates recipe is the best thing you can do with dates.Chocodates are a very delicious treats/snacks/candies and the recipe is a breeze so easy to follow and a foolproof one. I’ve had it covered with milk, dark and white chocolate.
Me and the hubby liked it so much with dark chocolate, for the kids they fell for the milk chocolate and neither of the two groups was thrilled with the white chocolate ones. Chocodates are very common during the holy month of Ramadan as we are very encouraged to break our fasting day with water and dates.
I was first introduced to these heavenly delights about three months ago when they were available here in the International market and one of my friends called me , super excited, to tell me the news, she has found chocodates in the international market , then I replied foolishly what is chocodates?!!. My friend laughed and she said I cannot believe you are a food blogger and still do not know chocodates yet :).
Then she started to explain how these gems are very common in Dubai, specially during Ramadan and that she took some to the PTA and they were liked it and asked for more. So off I went to the international market to get a taste of these delights, I bought a bag and returned home, opened the bag and was very disappointed,the bag literally had 20 pieces and was for $7.99, which was so expensive given the fact that you can eat 3 without even noticing.
When I had my first bite, I was surprised at how the sweetness of the dates, the crispiness of the nuts and the deep rich flavor of the dark chocolate are in harmony. I liked it so much that I had to recreate it, and even played with it. It was not hard at all and anyone can make it but the best part is, you can adapt it to your liking.
I’ve experienced with many variations and all went well, so let your imagination go wild. Think about decorating with milk chocolate ribbons or as I did here with white chocolate, may be rolling the dates before freezing them in some coconut flakes, adding orange blossom water to the melted chocolate, adding some ground cardamoms, may be some matcha to white chocolate if you like.. these are a few of my favorite combinations,so just play with the recipe and see what will come up.
Here I will show you how to make the basic recipe using dark chocolate and some white chocolate for garnishing, this recipe is good for two dozens of chocodates, some of the dates I’ve stuffed with only one almond and others I’ve put two, depending on the size of the date, you can also stuff it with your favorite nut or combination like pistachios and specially pecan which goes very well with dates and dark chocolate.
I hope you’ll like this recipe and I really do hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!
- 3 oz high quality dark chocolate.* 80gm
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.
- 24 Dates . almost
- 24 almond pieces.
- For more decoration
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips.
- 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil.
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Make a double broiler by filling a small pot with about an inch of water and bring to a simmer.
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Place a small bowl over the pot and make sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water.
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Add the chocolate chunks and the oil and let that melt slowly stirring constantly.
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Cut a slit in each date and remove the pit. Stuff with almonds/nuts and close the date over.
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Using two forks, drop the dates in the melted chocolate, roll to cover, then take the date out and carefully shake off any excess chocolate.
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Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Allow them to set for 5 minutes on your counter and then pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes.
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Meanwhile prepare your garnish by melting the white chocolate with the oil again over a double broiler.
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Take the chocodate out and garnish with ribbons of white chocolate, pop again in the freezer for more 5 minutes to set completely.
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Enjoy!!
* You can use any chocolate you like dark, milk or white chocolate but make sure it is made with coco butter.
Can be enjoyed with…
That’s wonderful treat for anytime but as you said it is especially make during Ramadan, I ‘ll pass it over to my friend.
Thanks dear, and yes I enjoy this anytime of the year specially in the morning with my cup of coffee :).
Hello Amira,
This looks so delicious. I’ve made stuffed dates with marzipan, but never thought to cover them with chocolate! My husband is going to be tempted during Ramadan with Chocodates! He loved the Saffron/Cardamon cake from Dubai. He always asks me to make it for him. My father, a pastry chef for over 70 years was super impressed with that cake too! Alhamdulilah. God’s blessing to you and your family.
Dates are so good and versatile. A touch of sweetness in savory dishes and makes desserts that much better. And yeah way cheaper to do your own. I could make a few disappear in no time!
I used to own a chocolate shop and sold chocolate dates…yours are prettier with the white chocolate drizzle.
Chocodates are new to me. But I’m pretty clueless, so no wonder. 🙂 Love the idea! Dates are wonderful all by themselves, of course, but really like this. And I can see so many different directions you can take this recipe — really versatile. Thanks!
Hi Amira, they are indeed very delicious, brilliant combination of the simplest ingredients. Would like to ask, what is the type of date you have used? As there are many types of date (too many) just intrigued to know which one you used and if you know which is the most popular date used in the U.A.E.
Thanks.
Yaseen
Yaseen, I’ve used Medjool dates as they are meaty and sweet so they are my favorite. I do not know about dates in UAE just use any kind that you love and not too difficult to handle. Thanks for your comment and keep coming back for more.
These look so wonderful. I’m a huge fan of dates–but we don’t usually have too many choices of types of dates in the U.S. Medjool is pretty much the one, so I’m glad to know it’s a good one! So pretty and I’m sure your guests devour them. I would!
It is tasty , easy and healthier than most candies. Glad to find a dates fan like me
Looks so easy and delicious! I always need those kind of snacks on hand!
These look lovely! I have a box of medjool dates so I must give these a try!
These look beautiful and yummy. I’ve never had dates before, but now I want to try them! Thanks for the recipe Amira, I will have to make them soon 🙂
These look delicious! I love dates!
Yum! I have never had a chocolate covered date but I feel like I am seriously missing out after reading your post!