Dark Chocolate Date Turtles with a Pretzel Shell
These tasty chocolate turtles depart from the more traditional candy in that juicy dates swap in for caramel, peanuts take the place of pecans, and a salted pretzel adds a pleasing crunch. The result is a sweet treat that is fun to make and delicious to eat. Be sure to store them in the fridge so they are good and chewy.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil
- 6 large juicy medjool dates
- 6 small twist pretzels
- 15 roasted salted peanuts (I like the Blistered Peanuts from Trader Joe’s and Virginia Peanuts from Costco)
Instructions
-
Put the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second bursts, stirring after each one, until melted (about 90 seconds).
-
Split the side of a date open and remove the pit. Set the date on the counter, split side up. Press down and shape the date into a flat disc. Split the peanuts in half. Stick 4 halves into the edge of the date for legs and one for a head. Nestle the pretzel onto the top of the date for a shell. Spoon 2 to 3 teaspoons of the melted chocolate onto the pretzel, dribbling over the sides onto the date. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking pan and repeat with the remaining dates. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a covered container and store in the fridge.