These Hot Chocolate Dates are made with Medjool dates that get stuffed with marshmallows and covered in dark chocolate with a peppermint topping! Dates are a great way to provide natural sweetness without needing a lot of added sugar - a perfect dessert for the holiday season! 😊
As a dietitian, I love finding ways to incorporate dates into desserts because their caramel-like flavor is pretty unbeatable! Plus, they provide dietary fiber for gut health and other important nutrients like antioxidants, potassium, and magnesium.
This was inspired by my Date Snickers recipe. I wanted an option that was more festive for the colder months and Christmas. And since I love a good hot chocolate recipe, I decided to incorporate some of those flavors to create a new dessert made with dates! This one is definitely a crowd-pleaser. Serve with a warm cup of oat milk with a splash of pure vanilla extract next time you're craving a sweet treat!
Jump to:
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
These hot chocolate dates are made using simple ingredients. Below is a list of ingredients but be sure to check the recipe card for the ingredient amounts!
- Medjool Dates - dates contain natural sugar so they're a great way to add sweetness. In recipes like this, they are a huge hit because they have almost a salted caramel flavor and texture!
- Marshmallows - if you're vegan, use vegan marshmallows like the Dandy brand sells.
- Dark Chocolate Chips - melted chocolate chips or chocolate chunks work perfectly. I use Ghirardelli's brand, but any brand works!
- Avocado Oil - a small amount to melt the chocolate chips. You can use olive oil or coconut oil instead if you prefer.
- Peppermint - you can crush a candy cane or mints or find peppermint already crushed at the grocery store
- Optional add-ins - feel free to mix in one of the following with the marshmallows to stuff the dates: almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup or a pinch of salt.
How to Make Hot Chocolate Dates
Below is a summary of the steps for how to make this recipe with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
- Step 1: Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper for easy clean up. Slice your dates in the middle with a sharp knife. If your dates have pits, remove the pits.
- Step 2: Stuff each date with 2-3 marshmallows (optional: add 1 teaspoon of one of your favorite nut butters before adding the marshmallows). Place the stuffed dates on the parchment-lined baking sheet. To harden the stuffed dates and make them easier to coat in chocolate, refrigerate them for 20-30 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the dark chocolate chips and avocado oil to a small bowl. Microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until it is melted. Be sure to use a microwave-safe bowl. Dip stuffed dates in the melted chocolate. You can use a toothpick, 2 forks, or a spoon to help with the process of chocolate coating.
- Step 4: The final step is to sprinkle ½ teaspoon crushed peppermint on the top of each date. Serve immediately or store in the fridge or freezer.
Hint: to dip them in the chocolate, use a spoon, 2 forks, or a toothpick to make it easier and do the open side with the marshmallows first.
Dietitian Tip
Dates contain a lot of natural sweetness so they're a great option for a satisfying dessert if you're looking to cut back on added sugars! They also provide dietary fiber to support gut health and they have a caramel-like texture that pairs really well with chocolate like in this recipe.
Video of How to Make Hot Chocolate Dates
Here's a video of how to make this recipe that I hope is helpful!
Variations
The great thing about making these hot cocoa dates at home is that you can customize them to your liking. Below are some ideas, but feel free to get creative!
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip - add peanut butter or your favorite nut butter when you fill the dates.
- Vegan - make it vegan by using a vegan dark chocolate and vegan marshmallows.
- Lower sugar - want to make this nutrient-rich dessert even lower in sugar? Drizzle the dark chocolate on instead of fully coating the dates. You’ll still get some chocolate in every bite, but use a little less overall.
Storage
- Fridge: store your chocolate dates in the fridge for up to 1 week. To prevent them from sticking together, layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper in between layers.
- Freezer: freeze chocolate covered dates for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe container.
Expert Tips
- After stuffing with marshmallows, close the dates as tightly as possible to keep it all held together.
- Refrigerating the dates after stuffing them for about 20 minutes helps to harden them a bit and makes them easier to cover in the melted chocolate!
- If you prefer less chocolate, simply drizzle melted chocolate on top of the stuffed dates.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, these hot cocoa dates are a nutrient-rich option that is lower in refined sugars, saturated fat and calories than many desserts. Dates provide dietary fiber, antioxidants, and iron.
You can find dates in the produce section or the dried fruit and nut aisle of most grocery stores. You can also find them in the bulk section or purchase them on Amazon.
I suggest using Medjool dates to make date snickers! They are larger and have a sweeter flavor than the deglet variety. My favorite brand to use is Natural Delights Medjool Dates. You can find them on Amazon.
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Hot Chocolate Dates:
Want to Learn About Nutrition?
Here are some of my educational posts you may enjoy:
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Hot Chocolate Dates with Marshmallow & Dark Chocolate
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool dates
- ½ cup mini marshmallows enough to stuff each date with 2-3 marshmallows.
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- 2 tablespoon crushed peppermint I use a candy cane and crush it.
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper for easy clean up. Slice your dates in the middle with a sharp knife. If your dates have pits, remove the pits.
- Stuff each date with 2-3 marshmallows (optional: add 1 teaspoon of one of your favorite nut butters before adding the marshmallows). Place the stuffed dates on the parchment-lined baking sheet. To harden the stuffed dates and make them easier to coat in chocolate, refrigerate them for 20-30 minutes.
- Add the dark chocolate chips and avocado oil to a small bowl. Microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until it is melted. Be sure to use a microwave-safe bowl. Dip stuffed dates in the melted chocolate. You can use a toothpick or a spoon to help with the process of chocolate coating.
- The final step is to sprinkle ½ teaspoon crushed peppermint on the top of each date. Serve immediately or store in the fridge or freezer.
- Hint: to coat them in the chocolate, use a spoon, 2 forks, or a toothpick to make it easier and do the open side with the marshmallows first.
Video
Notes
- After stuffing with marshmallows, close the dates as tightly as possible to keep it all held together.
- Refrigerating the dates after stuffing them for about 20 minutes helps to harden them a bit and makes them easier to cover in the melted chocolate!
- If you prefer less chocolate, simply drizzle melted chocolate on top of the stuffed dates.
- Fridge: store your chocolate dates in the fridge for up to 1 week. To prevent them from sticking together, layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper in between layers.
- Freezer: freeze chocolate covered dates for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe container.
Comments
No Comments