Soft Date Almond Cocoa Bites

Ingredients

• 1 cup, packed pitted soft dates
• 1/2 cup fine almond flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil or coconut oil, melted
• 1 to 2 tablespoons water

Method & Instructions

1. 1

   Wash hands and line a small tray with parchment paper.

2. 2

   Check dates for any remaining pits and chop roughly for easier blending.

3. 3

   Place dates, almond flour, cocoa powder, and oil in a food processor.

4. 4

   Blend for 30 to 45 seconds until the mixture clumps together. If the mixture looks dry and crumbly, add 1 tablespoon water and blend again.

5. 5

   Continue blending in short bursts until the mixture feels like soft dough and holds its shape when pressed between your fingers.

6. 6

   Scoop a small portion with a teaspoon and press it directly onto the lined tray into a flat disc. Do not roll portions into balls.

7. 7

   Press each disc to about 1/4 inch thick and 1 1/2 inches wide. Never serve these as round balls.

8. 8

   Place discs on the lined tray.

9. 9

   Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes so they firm slightly while staying soft inside.

10. 10

    Before serving, break one disc to confirm the center is moist and soft. If the mixture is dry or stiff, discard the whole batch. If a disc remains sticky or tacky after chilling, do not serve it.

11. 11

    For children under 4 years, cut each disc into pieces no bigger than 1/2 inch just before serving. For older children, cut into small age-appropriate pieces.

12. 12

    SAFETY NOTE: Contains almond (tree nuts). Keep the mixture moist; discard any dry or stiff batch. Serve pieces cut from flattened discs while the child sits upright, never whole balls.

Allergen Information

Storage & Preparation Notes