Truffles for a date? I actually think it could be a great idea to make the occasion special, particularly if your date is a truffle-worthy someone, but the name refers in fact to their main ingredient which I happen to love: Medjool dates. If you are fond of the regular chocolate truffles, these will surprise you because they look almost the same but taste completely different. Think sweet but complex, exotic and intriguing. Ridiculously easy to make, they are ready in minutes (literally) using the food processor. Both the recipe and the main ingredient were sent by our friend Steve, who through his visits to Saudi Arabia (against my wise advice) keeps me stocked on fantastic dates and spices, saffron included…
DATE TRUFFLES
(from our friend Steve)
for truffles:
3 cups dates, pitted and roughly chopped
12-ounce cup of strongly brewed coffee (or 6 oz coffee + 6 oz brandy)
1 cup pecans, chopped finely in a mini – food processor
1/2 cup shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
zest of 1 orange
optional: 2-3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
& ½ teaspoon cinnamon
to coat truffles:
Shredded coconut
or
cocoa powder
or
ground nuts
or
melted semi-sweet chocolate
Soak dates for 10 minutes in coffee, or in a mixture of coffee and brandy. Drain the dates but do not squeeze out liquid. Discard the coffee.
Transfer dates to a regular food processor, add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until mixed. Shape into 1-inch balls. Refrigerate at least 30 min.
Keeps well for many days in an airtight container in the fridge. Bring to room temperature to warm up slightly before serving.
ENJOY!
to print the recipe, click here
Going, going, GONE!
Comments: Next time I make these, I intend to coat them in melted chocolate to pump the decadence level up a little. Actually, a shell of white chocolate would be amazing for color contrast. Not that I need strong reasons to use white chocolate. To coat this batch I used Oreo-type cookie crumbs. They turned out delicious with a little bit of extra texture the crumbs offered.
The truffles were inhaled at lightning speed by our colleagues at the department, which is obviously one of the best compliments for my concoctions… If you have a dinner party coming up and would like to keep the dessert course very simple, serve these truffles with a cup of coffee or tea at the end of the evening. Or make a small plate with 4 or 5 and offer to your guests to take home… they will absolutely love it!
ONE YEAR AGO: Spiced Honey Ginger Cookies
TWO YEARS AGO: Twisted Sister of the Shepherd’s Pie
THREE YEARS AGO: Hail Caesar Sourdough
FOUR YEARS AGO: In My Kitchen, December 2011
FIVE YEARS AGO: Festivus Dinner Rolls
SIX YEARS AGO: 100% Sourdough Rye
Bewitching Kitchen 
Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.
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thank you…
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I can see my next get together for dinner finishing with a cheese platter followed up with these wonderful date truffles coated in chocolate and coffee. You’re lucky Steve keeps you stocked – I love medjool dates.
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Perfect, Maureen! These truffles after a cheese platter… I should have thought of that!
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You know by now I never make ‘stuff’ like this but these are irresistible . . . my favourite dates and coffee and brandy [of course!] and nuts and coconut . . . here we go 🙂 !! I’ll risk a dark chocolate coat tho’ . . . and say ‘thank you’ to Steve . . .
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They are irresistible indeed…. I need to make different variations as Steve suggested. I am sure they will be all great!
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Oh these sound so intriguing!! I have about a cup of dates left over from another recipe… mmm…
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I am just staring at the bag of dates and wondering if I should go for another batch this weekend….
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I add raisins (plus rum) and dried cranberries (plus French brandy) to my chocolate truffles so why NOT dates? Sounds delicious.
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You said it all… 😉
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I’m such a sucker for truffles (well, anything with chocolate really) and I’m buzzing that you created a healthified version of one of my fave treats.
Great great job my friend. I can’t wait to try this recipe!!!!
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Yeap, I guess that could be Paleo friendly, I suppose… not sure, though – coffee, cocoa? OH, well – who is THAT worried 😉
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man, to be a colleague in your department… I did think the date reference was to romance and I got a little excited there 😉 (‘truffle-worthy’ someone, heeheeh, agreed! you don’t just go sharing truffles with anyone; they’re special). I’m especially stoked about the strong coffee in these. D’lish.
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Remember that Seifeld episode? Sponge-worthy? One of my favorites – so I guess this is a more family-friendly version of that 😉
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Fabulous!!! So they’re healthy, too?!!!
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Everything is healthy in my book…. 😉 ok, almost everything…
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Love your first recipe instruction: “Soak dates for 10 minutes in coffee, or in a mixture of coffee and brandy” Or? You’re kidding right? It’s the holidays, pour that brandy. 🙂
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You are in fine shape, my friend…. I like the way you think…. brandy it shall be!
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This looks absolutely delicious! I will have to make these for a date-night with my girlfriend sometime.Thanks for sharing this.
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