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Candies made from dates and coconut flakes
Instructions
Prepare good-quality dates (25 pcs, about 200 g) – the base of the candies. The ideal choice is the Medjool variety (premium, with translucent amber flesh, soft and juicy) or Deglet Nour (cheaper and drier, but suitable for candies). Cheap, "no-name" dates are often over-dried and treated with paraffin, and may not be suitable for candies.
A CRUCIAL STEP for removing the pits: carefully take the pits out of all the dates – a "surprise" pit in a candy can chip a tooth or break the blender. Using a sharp, thin knife, make a lengthwise cut along the date and gently remove the pit with your fingers. Discard the pits – they are not used in cooking.
If the dates are dry and hard, soak them in a bowl of hot water (60°C, not boiling) for 10–15 minutes to soften. Then pat them thoroughly dry with paper towel – excess water will make the candy mixture "runny" so that it won't hold its shape. You can put the wet dates in a colander and leave them to drain for 10 minutes.
If you like, prepare nuts for the filling inside the candies (walnuts or almonds, 30 g). Chop the walnuts with a sharp knife into small 3–5 mm pieces – slightly larger pieces give a better texture. Use almonds whole (1 nut = 1 candy) or in halves. Lightly toast the nuts in a dry frying pan for 2–3 minutes to bring out their aroma.
Transfer the pitted, soft dates to the bowl of a blender or food processor. IMPORTANT: use a powerful blender (at least 600 W) – cheap blenders may struggle with the dates and break. If your blender is weak, pass the dates through a meat grinder with a fine plate twice.
Turn the blender on at medium speed and grind the dates into a thick, smooth "paste". If the blender struggles (the mass is too dense), stop, push the mixture down against the sides with a spatula, and carry on. You can add 1–2 tablespoons of hot water to make the blender's job easier.
The finished date "paste" is thick, sticky and dark brown, with the characteristic aroma of dates. It should resemble "chocolate dough" in consistency. If the mass is too runny, add coconut flakes (1–2 tablespoons) to thicken it. If it is too dry and crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of hot water or honey.
With clean, damp hands (so the date paste doesn't stick to them), form small balls 3 cm in diameter (the size of a walnut). TIP: small balls are eaten faster and with more pleasure – especially by children. Large balls (5 cm) make a hefty dessert for a single serving. From 200 g of date paste you get 15–18 small or 8–10 large balls.
For candies with a "surprise" inside: take a little date paste, flatten it into a disc 5 cm in diameter, and place a piece of walnut or half an almond in the centre. Carefully join the edges of the paste around the nut and roll it into a ball. The nut inside gives a pleasant "crunchy" surprise when you break the candy open.
Prepare bowls for coating the candies. In one bowl, put coconut flakes (50 g) – the classic white colour of "Raffaello" candies. In a second, cocoa powder (30 g) for dark "truffles". In a third, white sesame seeds (30 g) for golden "energy bars". You can also use ground nuts, poppy seeds or culinary sprinkles for a colourful presentation.
Roll each ball in the chosen coating, pressing firmly with your hands for an even covering. Colourful coatings make for a festive presentation – the candies look like shop-bought "fancy" sweets. For a children's party, coat them in colourful culinary sprinkles.
Arrange the finished candies on a pretty plate, in a glass dish or in a gift box. To serve them at a children's party, push each candy onto a plastic skewer like "cake pops" – children will love them. The date and coconut candies are ready! I serve them with tea, coffee, cocoa, or simply as a wholesome snack between meals.
Tips
- 1
Use only SOFT Medjool dates or soaked dry ones – "woody" dates won't make good candies.
- 2
ALWAYS check each date for a pit – a "surprise" pit will chip a tooth or break the blender.
- 3
Damp hands stay clean of the "stickiness" when forming the balls. I make homemade Raffaello candies on a similar principle.
- 4
Small 3 cm balls taste better than large ones – especially for children. They are easy to eat in "one bite".
FAQ
What can I use instead of dates in the candies? +
Good options include: soft dried apricots (for an orange colour and "apricot" flavour, 200 g), pitted prunes (for a dark colour and "forest" flavour), soft dried figs (for an amber colour and honeyed flavour), a 50/50 mix of dried fruit (date + dried apricot = a caramel flavour), mashed ripe banana + rolled oats (for vegan clean-eating candies), or dried cranberries + honey (for "winter" candies with a slight tartness). Each substitute brings its own character. Dates are the "classic" choice because of their high natural sweetness and the sticky consistency needed for rolling into balls.
What additions can I make to date candies? +
The universal date base allows for many variations. Into the paste: 30 g cocoa powder (chocolate candies), 1 tablespoon instant coffee (mocha candies), 50 g almond flour (a marzipan flavour), 1 tablespoon cocoa butter or coconut oil (for tenderness), a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla (aroma), 1 teaspoon rum or brandy (for adults). Fillings inside: whole nuts (walnut, almond, hazelnut, cashew), pieces of chocolate, candied fruit, raisins, pieces of dried fruit. Coatings: coconut, cocoa, sesame, poppy seeds, ground nuts, culinary sprinkles, icing sugar, cinnamon. Experiment!
How long do homemade date candies keep? +
The finished candies keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days in a tightly sealed, airtight container. On the 2nd or 3rd day the flavour is even better, as the aromas come together. At room temperature they keep for up to 3 days (but in hot weather the candies may "run" because of the high fat content of the coconut). You can freeze them for 1 month in airtight bags – before serving, thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes. It is ideal to make them in small batches of 15–20 for one or two tea parties. For a children's birthday, make a fresh batch on the morning of the party.
What can I serve date candies with? +
They are ideal with hot drinks: black or green tea with lemon, a latte or cappuccino, cocoa with milk (a children's classic), herbal tea (mint, chamomile) or hot chocolate. For a children's party, serve them with a milkshake or a fruit drink. For an adult dessert table, pair them with a sweet white wine (Moscato, Riesling), sweet liqueurs (Baileys, Malibu), brandy or rum (for "gourmet" evenings). The candies can also be used to decorate cakes and cupcakes – arrange them on top as "delicate" finishing touches. They make a wholesome office snack in place of a shop-bought bar or fast food.
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