This is a great, subtle sweet you can make. You can also tone down the sugar a little bit and have it as an appetizer for a big dinner, or as the main course of a picnic. Below is the basic recipe plus a few extra steps depending on how much effort you want to put in.

There are lots of great opportunities to add aromatics and add some herbal flavors that are not often found in candies.

Ingredients

  • 10 Large Dates
  • 4 oz. Walnuts, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Neutral or coconut oil
  • 1/4 c. Corn Syrup/Maple Syrup/Similar
  • Spices (optional, I like coriander and black pepper)

Directions

  1. In a small pot, boil enough water to just-cover the dates and boil for five minutes till dates are tender
  2. Slice dates lengthwise (like a hotdog bun) and remove pit. Careful dates may be hot.
  3. In a small pan, heat oil on medium-low and add nuts stirring frequently. If using whole fat-soluble spices like peppercorns or coriander, add now.
  4. Once nuts are mostly toasted, about 2-4 minutes, gradually add syrup while stirring vigorously. If using a thin syrup, optionally add 1-2 tsp of corn starch to nuts immediately before adding syrup to aid thickening. If using less heat-tolerant or ground spices such as red pepper, add now. You can also add other flavorings and extracts like bitters, vanilla, and molasses!
  5. Continue stirring as syrup reduces and carmelizes.
  6. Once nut-syrup mixture reaches desired consistency, spoon as much filling into each date as will fit and gently squeeze dates around the filling.

Extra Steps for Tryhards

  1. Deglaze nut pan with liqouer of choice, brandy, oil, or balsamic vinegar. Once pan is deglazed, add ~1/8 c of balsamic vinegar and 1/8 c of syrup and reduce under low heat until a very thick syrup is formed. Stir continuously and scrape the bottom of the pan so sugar does not burn.
  2. Dip each candy into the mixture or arrange candies on a baking sheet and pour overtop.

AND/OR

  1. Arrange candies tightly onto a baking sheet and genorously sprinkle brown sugar overtop.
  2. Brulee the top OR place under broiler for about 45 seconds until sugar begins to burn.