Looking for a way to get a sweet treat without added sugar? These date bites are the way to go. My family loves them! (My child thinks they are brownies, hence the name.) And they only have 5 ingredients!
I can purchase all these ingredients in my local grocery stores, but I’ve included links in case you cannot.
I use Deglet Noor dates, I find them much less sweet than Medjool.
I use Raw Cacao Powder, (they now sell it in Trader Joe’s.) That’s also where I get my coconut flakes. I like to whir my coconut flakes in the food processor or blender and make it more of a powder than a flake. Final ingredient is raw sunflower seeds ~ these should be easy to find!
OPTIONAL: I added popped Amaranth as an optional coating, you can use it if you’re looking to get more of this gluten-free grain into your diet. It’s fun to pop! Just heat a pan on the stove for 5 minutes (I use my 3qt sauce pan) then add the amaranth grains 1 tsp at a time (I don’t bother with a lid – a few will pop out of the pan – that’s OK!). If the pan is hot enough, you’ll see them start moving immediately! Count to 5 – maybe 10 – they’ll be done! Pour them out quickly or they will burn. Roll the brownie bites in the popped amaranth for a fun crunchy coating.
This recipe is adapted from the Date, Coconut and Cacao Bars from Emma Spitzer. The original recipe uses date syrup, which I eliminated. I also halved her recipe – the original made my blender work too hard!
Ingredients
- 185 Grams dates, pitted (Deglet Noor variety)
- 50 Grams cacao powder
- 35 Grams unsweetened dried coconut (plus an extra 2 Tbsp for rolling)
- 13 Grams raw sunflower seeds
- 20 Grams amaranth, popped (optional)
Instructions
- Place 2 tablespoons of coconut flakes in a high speed blender (or food processor) and whir until pulverized, about 10-15 seconds. Set aside, this will be used to roll the bites in later.
- Add the dates, cacao powder, coconut flakes and sunflower seeds to the blender. Whir until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Scrape the mixture out of the blender into a bowl. Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon measure, scoop the mixture into balls and roll them between your palms (wet hands work best for this purpose.)
- Roll the bites in the powdered coconut, or the popped amaranth (see Note above). Chill for ten minutes in the refrigerator, then enjoy! Store in refrigerator.