Stuff a date, save a cookie

The term “sweet treat” began to trend on social media in 2022 like it was Team Dean or Team Jess in 2004 (Team Jess all day long). Most millennials but a few Gen Z’s took it upon themselves to normalize eating a sweet treat every single day, and to think I wouldn’t cannonball right into this pool of dessert affirmation is downright insane.

Some of the most viral recipes revolved around dates, stuffing them with nut butter, and drowning in melted chocolate (you think a 20 something white girl would be caught dead eating a chocolate chip cookie? As if! But 20 stuffed dates? You can bet your life on it).

While there are several ways to go about the date craze situation, I really found my own rhythm with a classic dark chocolate crunchy peanut butter rendition. Once I started to make them, I simply couldn’t quit. The number of batches I’ve made are easily in the triple digits.

Don’t think this sweet treat is only for the abrasive gym girlies. I made some for my great uncle and my Pap, both of whom are well into their 80s. Pap was already a shoe in – I could’ve given him a finger dipped in chocolate and he’d lick his lips in satisfaction. But I knew I’d made it when after tasting, Uncle Kent said, “This thing is pretty damn good.”

You’ve been warned.

Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates

-        1 package of pitted medjool dates

-        1 bag of dark chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life’s or Hu's Baking Gems)

-        1 tablespoon coconut oil

-        Flakey sea salt

-        Around ½ cup natural crunchy peanut butter (I like Kroger’s Simple Truth’s brand)

-        Wax paper & freezer friendly plates

1.     Throw your chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl with your coconut oil and microwave for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave for another minute and continue to stir and heat in 30 second increments until fully melted.

2.     Open your dates and fill with a spoonful of crunchy peanut butter. Squeeze gently back together.

3.     Dunk your stuffed date with two forks into your melted dark chocolate. Allow the chocolate to drip for a few moments before placing it on wax paper covered plate.

4.     Sprinkle your sea salt on top of the date.

5.     Repeat steps 2-4 until all dates are stuffed, coated, and sprinkled!

6.     Place into your refrigerator for about an hour or so to let the chocolate set.

7.     You’re one of us now.