Date Caramel Turtles

As I mentioned a week or so okay, I will be posting a few holiday recipes to have on hand for entertaining. One of my family traditions is to have Turtles. I have created a healthier version that I will be serving when we host Christmas this year.All these are really made of are dates, nuts, and chocolate!  No added junk!

MAKES 12 TURTLES

INGREDIENTS
– 1/2 cup medjool dates, pitted, packed
– 2 teaspoons coconut oil
– 2 teaspoons natural peanut butter
– pinch salt
– 1-2 tablespoons water
– 1/2 cup pecans, toasted
– 200 grams dairy free chocolate. You can use chocolate chips, or for an adult version, your favourite dark chocolate
– 1 tablespoon coconut oil

DIRECTIONS
1. Lightly toast your pecans.
2. In a food processor, blend the dates, 2 teaspoons coconut oil, peanut butter and salt. Add in just enough water to make it start to form a ball. The mixture should be smooth and thick. Set aside.
3. Melt the chocolate and 1 tablespoon coconut oil in a double boiler over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to keep from burning.
4. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Spoon out 12 dollops (approximately 1 teaspoon) of chocolate onto the paper. Spread it out so that it forms the base of your turtle.
5. Place 4 full pecans onto each chocolate so that it forms the feet of your turtle. If you are using chopped pecans, then just fill the circle with a single layer of pecans. Put in freezer for a few minutes until it firms up.
6. Remove chocolate from freezer. Onto each chocolate/pecan base, add approximately 0.5-1 tablespoon of date mixture. Add the higher amount if you love more caramel. Spread out the date caramel with your finger.
7. Top the turtles with a dollop of chocolate to cover the date caramel.
8. Place in freezer to firm up.
9. Keep these stored in your freezer until ready to serve. They only need a couple of minutes to unthaw.