Chocolate Date Hearts (Vegan)
These delicious Chocolate Date Hearts require 4 main ingredients, and they are so ideal for making as gifts for loved ones. They are rich and chocolatey, sticky and are naturally vegan, gluten-free and nut-free.
I love dates and chocolate so for Valentines Day, Zaytoun (a lovely brand I work with from time to time) asked me to make a treat using their medjool dates. As they are so squishy, dates are easy to shape into anything you like and hearts came to mind. Simple de-stone the dates, squish into hearts and then dip and dunk into your favourite dark chocolate. For variety, some dates are topped with chopped almonds, some with freeze-dried berries (my favourites ones) and some are plain – but a sprinkling of flaky salt would be great.
Why will I love these?
These are so delicious:
- Chocolatey, squidgy and delicious
- Crunchy yet smooth and melt-in-your-mouth
- Made with 4 main ingredients
- Using natures candy aka medjool dates
- A great source of fibre and vitamins
- They take 15 minutes to make
- Easily shaped into hearts (no moulds needed)
- Coat in your favourite chocolate
- Naturally vegan, dairy-free and egg-free
- Gluten-free and easily nut-free
- Require no baking
- Great as gifts
- Enjoy all year round
- Top with your favourite toppings like:
- Chopped almonds
- Freeze-dried berries
- Flaky salt
- Desiccated coconut
- Cacao nibs
- Everyone will love them
If you already love the sound of these dates, then skip ahead to the recipe card below. Or, first let’s discuss the recipe in more detail.
What ingredients do I need?
You can see the ingredients with weights in the recipe card below and see my favourite and recommended products in the “shop the recipe” section.
For the dates:
- Medjool dates: these are the Zaytoun ones which are nice and plump.
- Dark chocolate: use your favourite chocolate. I like HU Kitchen or Raw Halo.
- Coconut oil: to help the chocolate set more quickly and so they are less likely to crack.
- Freeze-dried berries: like strawberries or raspberries to add some colour on top.
- Almonds: chopped up small to go on top (optional).
Are they gluten-free and nut-free?
Yes these are naturally GF and to keep them nut-free, do not use chopped nuts on top.
How do I make them?
These are easy to make:
- De-stone the dates: and roughly shape into a heart with your hands.
- Press them down with a glass: to flatten the hearts.
- Pop them in the fridge: to chill.
- Melt the chocolate and coconut oil: until glossy.
- Dip and dunk the hearts in the chocolate: and allow the excess to drip off.
- Sprinkle with the berries or almonds: as you like.
- Place in the fridge to firm up: and enjoy.
How long will they last?
These will keep for 1-2 weeks in the fridge in a sealed container.
What other recipes can I try?
For more no-bake chocolatey recipes:
- Chocolate Raspberry Brownie Bark
- Chocolate Coconut Flapjack
- Chocolate Orange Brownie Protein Bars
- Cashew Matcha Caramel Date Bars
- Smashed Date Cups (Snickers and Bounty!)
Chocolate Date Hearts (Vegan)
These delicious Chocolate Date Hearts require 4 main ingredients, and they are so ideal for making as gifts for loved ones. They are rich and chocolatey, sticky and are naturally vegan, gluten-free and nut-free.
Ingredients
- 15 medjool dates
- 150g dark chocolate, chopped small
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp freeze-dried strawberry or raspberry pieces
- 2 tbsp almonds, chopped small
Instructions
- Carefully remove the stone from the dates and then shape into a heart. Place on a tray and squish down underneath a layer of parchment paper. Re-shape into a heart.
- Repeat to make all 15 date hearts and place in the fridge.
- Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a heatproof bowl and warm over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted.
- Using two forks, dip each date heart into the chocolate mix to evenly coat the date. Allow the excess to drip off and place back on a tray.
- While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle with some freeze-dried berries or almonds, or leave plain.
- Repeat to coat all of the dates in chocolate and place back in the fridge for 20 minutes to set.
- Serve in glass jars as presents or keep in the fridge for 1 week in an airtight container.
Shop the recipe
Stay in touch
I look forward to hearing what you think of these Chocolate Date Hearts so please let me know in the comments below and leave a star review above. If you do make this cake, I’d love to see so please tag me, I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest – please say hello!
With date love x
p.s. this recipe was first made with Zaytoun and their dates but this blog post is not sponsored.
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