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So, one might ask…how on earth can these be healthy when they taste exactly like a Snickers bar?! It is a valid question and I ask myself the same thing every time I make them. But here is the thing- these little beauties are made entirely from real, wholesome ingredients. We are talking naturally sweet Medjool dates, creamy cashew butter, a little crunchy brown rice cereal, and a drizzle of good dark chocolate. No refined sugar, no mystery ingredients, nothing you cannot mis-pronounce. Just pure, simple, delicious whole foods coming together to create the most incredible little treat that feels completely indulgent, it even fools my kids. This is the kind of snack that silences the late night sweet tooth without any of the guilt. Make a batch, keep them in the fridge, or even your freezer & pull one out during your time of need.
Ingredients
Dates– The star of the show! Medjool dates are ideal here… naturally sweet, caramel-like, and the perfect size for smashing into the most beautiful little bite sized treats.
Cashew butter– Creamy, mild, and slightly sweet…it spreads beautifully on top of the smashed dates and adds a rich nuttiness that pairs perfectly with the chocolate. Almond butter works great as a substitute too!
Dark chocolate– The magic finishing touch. Use good quality dark chocolate chopped from a bar or dark chocolate chips…either works beautifully. The better the chocolate the better the treat!
Coconut oil– Just a touch helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives it that gorgeous glossy finish when it sets.
Brown rice cereal– The secret weapon! It adds the most satisfying little crunch between the creamy cashew butter and the chocolate that makes these completely irresistible.
Flaky salt– Never skip the flaky salt! That little pinch on top balances the sweetness of the dates and chocolate and takes these from delicious to absolutely extraordinary. It is the finishing touch that makes all the difference.
How to Make my Chocolate Cashew Dates
Place dates on a large cutting board or sheet pan and use a cup or jar to firmly press the date to flatten. Transfer dates to a parchment lined sheet pan before freezing, this way nothing will stick.
Spread cashew butter on top and place in the freezer to chill for 15 minutes.
Once firmed up, add the brown rice cereal evenly on the top of each date.
Microwave chocolate and coconut oil until melted, stopping every 30 seconds or so to stir it.
Drizzle the chocolate on top of the brown rice cereal on the dates and sprinkle with flaky salt.
Place back in the freezer until chocolate is set, about 15 minutes.
Eat right away or store in the fridge until ready to enjoy!
Commonly Asked Questions
Medjool dates are absolutely the way to go here — they are large, soft, naturally caramel-like, and the perfect size for smashing. You can find them at most grocery stores, Whole Foods, or your local farmers market. Avoid smaller dried dates as they can be too firm and dry for this recipe.
Absolutely! Almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter all work beautifully here. Each brings its own flavor but all pair wonderfully with the dates and chocolate.
Crushed rice crackers, granola, or even crushed pretzels would give you a similar satisfying crunch. The texture contrast is what makes these so addictive so don’t skip something crunchy!
The coconut oil helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives it a beautiful glossy finish. If you don’t have it, a neutral oil like avocado oil works as a substitute. Just a tiny amount makes a big difference!
The freezer sets the cashew butter so it stays firmly in place when you add the cereal and chocolate on top. Skipping this step means everything slides around and gets messy- the chill is what holds it all together beautifully!
These are made with wholesome, real ingredients- natural fruit, nut butter, dark chocolate, and no refined sugar. They are a much better option than most store bought treats and honestly so satisfying that one or two is all you need. The perfect guilt free indulgence!
Chocolate Cashew Butter Dates
Ingredients
- 16 dates, pitted
- 1/2 cup cashew butter
- 1 cup dark chocolate, chopped (or dark chocolate chips)
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- 1/2 cup brown rice cereal
- flaky salt
Instructions
- Place dates on a large cutting board or sheet pan and use a cup or jar to firmly press the date to flatten. Transfer dates to a parchment lined sheet pan before freezing, this way nothing will stick.
- Spread cashew butter on top and place in the freezer to chill for 15 minutes.
- When firmed up, add the brown rice cereal evenly on the top of each date.
- Microwave chocolate and coconut oil until melted, stopping every 30 seconds or so to stir it.
- Drizzle the chocolate on top of the brown rice cereal on the dates and sprinkle with flaky salt.
- Place back in the freezer until chocolate is set, about 15 minutes.
- Eat right away or store in the fridge until ready to enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
