Valentines Day Chocolate Date Strawberry Hearts

Its no secret my family and I love chocolate. This recipe tastes like chocolate caramels and chocolate dipped strawberries all in one delicious bite. The Dates give a decadent caramel like taste, and the strawberries add pop of crunch and tartness to the sweet caramel. date. Just remove the pit and pinch to make the most perfect shaped hearts.

This recipe is actually very quick and easy to prepare once you have the ingredients. If making this recipe with kids- they will love to see the chocolate melt and sprinkle on the "strawberry dust." Extra crushed strawberry just can be used on toppings like yogurt or ice cream. If you don't have freeze dried strawberries, you can simply omit or add a different crunch topping like peanuts or pecans.

I made these for my family last year and everyone loved them. While i do love a good store bought box of chocolates, These are a fun to make and home. I love that it has some added nutrition such as fiber and antioxidants from the dates and strawberries. I bought all of these ingredients during my weekly Trader Joes grocery haul.

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INGREDIENTS:

• 12 Medjool Dates

• 1 cup of chocolate chips

• 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil

• 1 bag of freeze dried strawberries

DIRECTIONS:

1. Melt chocolate with coconut oil in the microwave or in a glass bowl over a pot in boiling water, stirring until chocolate is melted and smooth.

2. In a blender or food processor pulse freeze dried strawberries until it is crumbly like sand, some chunks are fine.

3. Pit the dates and shape them into hearts with your hands.

4. Dip the dates in the chocolate and sprinkle with the freeze dried strawberries.

5. Let cool in the fridge for several hours and store in the fridge for up to a week.