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