Before it gets too warm, try making these chocolate covered stuffed dates. When I tasted these for the first time, my reaction was “This was a REALLY good idea!” You need to try them even if you think you don’t like dates! You can even justify that they are not just good, but good for you – dark chocolate, dates, pecans.
CHOCOLATE COVERED PECAN STUFFED DATES (Pantry Cooking II)
48 medium to large pitted dates
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate candy bar, 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, or 8 ounces of candy making chocolate
24 pecan halves cut in half lengthwise
Put 1 piece of pecan inside each date and press the date closed. Slowly melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler or the microwave. Dip each stuffed date in the chocolate using a dipping fork or regular fork until completely covered with chocolate. Place on a parchment covered pan or silicon baking mat to cool. Cool completely at room temperature. Candy sets up best below 70o. Do not refrigerate. Store at room temperature. Yields 48.