These raw treats feature the same flavors as the popular spread, pairing hazelnuts with rich cocoa powder, but they are naturally sweetened with fiber-rich dates. Dates have become a favorite sweetener of mine, thanks to their impressive nutritional profile which includes calcium, iron, potassium, copper and magnesium. As an added bonus, the fiber from both the hazelnuts and dates mean that these sweets will have a more gradual impact on your blood sugar– which should mean no sugar crashes later! I hope you enjoy them the next time a sweet craving hits. — Healthy Nutella Fudge Bites makes 16-20 pieces Ingredients: 1 cup hazelnuts 1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted 2 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt *Note: If your dates aren’t soft, soak them in warm water for 15 minutes beforehand. Directions: In a food processor fitted with an “S” blade, process the hazelnuts into a fine powder. Add in the dates, cocoa powder, vanilla, coconut oil and salt, and process again until a uniform texture is achieved. (You may need to stop and scrape down the bowl a couple of times!) Feel free to taste the batter at this point, and adjust any flavors to your taste.
Transfer the mixture to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and use your hands to press it into a rectangle about 1/2-inch thick. Place in the freezer to set for at least 1 hour before cutting and serving. Store and serve directly from the fridge or freezer for best shelf life and texture. Hope you enjoy them! — Reader Feedback: Are you a Nutella fan? I’m a pretty big fan of banana & Nutella crepes…
