Homemade Turtles

You can really make this recipe from any type of dates you like, but it works best with Medjool dates – the fresher the better.

Gluten-Free, Paleo, Vegetarian

Makes 12

Ingredients:

• 12 Medjoool date

• 6 squares dark bakers chocolate (or 1 cup dark chocolate chips)

• 48 pecans

• Sea Salt (rock salt if possible)

Instructions:

1. Using your fingers, or a knife if needed, peel open the dates and remove the pits.

2. Once the pit has been removed, using your hands press the pitted date into a flat, round shape. The fresher the dates the easier this will be. You want to ‘smush’ them together to create a bit of a ball. The more you ‘smush’ them, the more they will provide a chewy texture to the turtles.

3. Once each date has been formed into a circle, press 4 pecan halves into the base of each date. The pecans should emulate the feet of the turtles!

4. When the turtles are formed, place them feet down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using parchment paper will make clean-up much easier.

5. Using a double boiler (or microwave if needed) gently melt the chocolate squares. You want to do this at a low heat to ensure the chocolate remains velvety smooth, and ensure that you are stirring the chocolate periodically.

6. Once the chocolate is melted, pour approximately 1 tablespoon of chocolate over each turtcle. If needed, use the back of a spoon to cover the date entirely, you want to cover as much of it as possible.

7. Sprinkle a small pinch of sea salt on each date. This step is optional, but the salt helps to bring out the flavour in the chocolate.

8. Transfer baking sheet to the fridge for 20-30 minutes until the chocolate has completely solidified.

9. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge or frozen for later!