PECAN DATE BITES

I was never a big fan of pecan or raisin pie as I always found them to be too sweet. The Real Food Dietitians recently shared a small recipe book for holiday season baking. I saw this recipe in their book. They call them truffles but I like to call them bites as I make them small, bite size. When I think of truffles I conjure up smooth tasting ganache chocolate. What I like about this recipe is that is like pecan pie without the added sugar and pie crust. The sugar is provided by the dates. It is not overly sweet and the calories do no make me cringe. 

I made a few minor changes to the recipe. I added a cap of melted chocolate onto the top of each bite. I didn't add the extra sea salt or pecan to the top of the bite. You can drizzle the chocolate if you like. I used a mini cookie scoop and made 20 bites. I like to store them in the fridge if I am going to be eating them over several days. Otherwise I would store them in the freezer. 

The DH and I both like these bites and I think they will be popular with guests.

Used a small cookie scoop to place the Bites on  a cookie sheet.

Added a small cap of melted chocolate to the top of the Bite.

Ready to sample!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1⁄2 cup raw pecans
• 18 Deglet Noor dates or 9 meejool dates, pitted
• 1 tsp pure vanilla
• 1/8  tsp sea salt

• 2 tbsp dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips 
• 1⁄4 tsp coconut oil
• Optional - extra sea salt and/or chopped pecans for sprinkling on top

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place pecans, dates, vanilla and sea salt in the bowl of a food processor. Process until mixture resembles coarse sand and sticks together when pinched between two fingers. If mixture is too dry, add a few drop of water and process again. If mixture is too sticky, add a few more pecans and process again.
   
2. Roll nut mixture into 16 balls (about 1 tablespoon of mixture each). Place on a plate or a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
   
3. Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small bowl in the microwave (or set over a pan over simmering water to simulate a double boiler) - 5-10 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until glossy and smooth.
   
4. Use a spoon to drizzle each bite with melted chocolate. Sprinkle with additional sea salt and chopped pecans, if desired.
   

Allow chocolate to harden before storing in a covered container on the counter for up to 3 days. They may also be refrigerated or frozen for longer storage. 

Makes 16 to 20 servings depending on the size of the bite. 

From the Real Food Dietitians

PEANUT BUTTER MINI BITES

I got this recipe from a friend of mine, Bev, who is a great cook and baker. She has been making them over the years and has told me that they are really good. I needed no further encouragement and made them. I have provided a number of options in the ingredient list. I used chunky natural peanut butter, apple sweetened dried cranberries, agave syrup, roasted pumpkin seeds and regular size chocolate chips as that was what I had in my pantry. Since the holiday season is approaching, Bev uses M&M's for colour and slivered almonds when making them at this time of the year. I used agave syrup and I think honey hardens more than agave when setting in the fridge. I would use honey instead of agave next time when I make them. The peanut butter mini bites are very good, they are sweet and satisfying.

Mixing the batter.

Used a small cookie scoop to shape the bites.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup large rolled oats
1/2 cup peanut butter or other nut butters
1/2 cup dried blueberries, cranberries or other dried berries 
1/4 cup liquid honey or agave
2 tbsp shelled sunflower or pumpkin seeds, or slivered almonds
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Mix together all of the ingredients. Chill for at least 30 minutes until the mixture is firm. Using 2 tablespoons, roll into balls. You can reduce the size and make mini bite size pieces by using a small cookie scoop. I made 25 mini bites. If the batter doesn't harden enough, you can put it in the freezer for a few minutes. These mini bites can be stored in the fridge or freezer. I plan on storing them in the freezer. They taste good right out of the freezer.

Adapted from sticktogether.ca