This Peanut Butter Eggs recipe is a twist on traditional Easter sweets, featuring Medjool dates filled with creamy nut butter and a vibrant coat of white chocolate. These little gems are not only delicious but also offer a healthier option for your celebration.
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Natural Delights. All opinions are my own; I never feature a brand that I don't love!
Table of Contents
Why you'll love it
Creating these edible Medjool date peanut butter "eggs" is a fun activity that can become a cherished Easter tradition in your home. They're a healthier alternative to the conventional holiday candies and you get to unleash your creativity, making an edible work of art!
Are these eggs healthy?
These Medjool date "eggs" really resemble Easter eggs and can be a healthier option to have as a treat.
- Medjool dates are rich in potassium, iron, and satiating fiber without any added sugars. Did you know they are considered a fresh fruit??
- Nut butter provides protein as well as healthy unsaturated fats which have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- The average peanut butter egg you buy from a store contains 15+ grams of added sugar. Whereas, these peanut butter eggs contain around 7 grams of added sugar from the touch of white chocolate on top.
If you're concerned about added sugars, you could always try opting for a sugar-free white chocolate. However, we have not tested this recipe with these alternatives so we are unsure of how well they melt.
What ingredients do you need?
- Natural Delights Medjool dates: There are many types of dates, but we prefer Medjool dates for their soft texture and caramel-like taste. We always like to pick up a pack of Natural Delights Medjool Dates online or in the fresh produce section of the grocery store.
- Nut butter of your choice: Whether it's peanut, almond, or cashew butter, each brings its unique flavor and set of nutrients.
- White chocolate chips or candy melts: These are the canvas for your colorful Easter designs.
- Coconut oil: Helps thin the chocolate for a smooth, dippable consistency.
- Liquid or gel food coloring: Use pastel colors to create the spring feel.
- Colorful Sprinkles: Look for Easter-themed sprinkles to make it extra festive.
How do you make chocolate peanut butter eggs?
Creating these peanut butter eggs is a surprisingly simple process. Just don't be afraid to get a little messy!
1. Pit the dates
Start by slitting each Medjool date on one side to remove the pit, being careful not to cut all the way through the fruit. This creates a pocket for the nut butter filling.
2. Fill and freeze
Fill each date with about one teaspoon of your chosen nut butter. Once filled, gently press the dates closed, encasing the nut butter.
Place the filled dates on a plate lined with parchment paper and freeze for 30 minutes. This step ensures the dates are firm enough for dipping into the chocolate.
3. Melt the chocolate
There's two ways you could go about melting the chocolate. We find that microwaving is usually quicker.
Microwave: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals at 50% power, stirring in between, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
Double Boiler: Set a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bowl does not touch the water. Add the chocolate to the bowl, stirring occasionally until it melts completely.
Once melted, stir in a few drops of food coloring to create 2 to 4 preferred colors such as pink, blue, green, and yellow.
4. Dip in chocolate
After freezing, dip each date into the melted chocolate. Use a toothpick or fork to dip, ensuring each date is fully coated, then allow the excess to drip off.
If at any point during decorating the chocolate begins to harden, simply re-microwave it for 30 seconds to restore its smooth texture.
5. Decorate
If using sprinkles: Add right away to the chocolate covered dates before the chocolate hardens.
If piping a design: Let the chocolate harden, then squeeze over your white chocolate design.
Customize it your way
Like all of my other recipes, these date eggs are completely customizable. You get to choose what nut butter you want to use.
- Nut or seed butter of your choice: peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, pumpkin seed butter, or another favorite kind.
Can I use dark chocolate?
Yes, you can substitute white chocolate with dark chocolate for a richer flavor and added antioxidant benefits. This will turn them into more of a Date "Snickers" feel.
Just note that if you use dark chocolate, you won't be able to dye the chocolate different colors. However, you can still add over festive sprinkles when it's wet.
Can you make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! Feel free to make these eggs in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ready to be enjoyed whenever the Easter festivities begin.
You could even freeze them for up to 2 months too.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftover peanut butter eggs can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature.
Need more help with recipes for your busy schedule?
In my coaching + cooking program, I help busy people with beginner cooking knowledge become confident in the kitchen so that they can enjoy nourishing foods they love and stress less about mealtime. Click here to learn more about this virtual program led by a dietitian.
Medjool Date Peanut Butter Eggs
Ingredients
- 12 Natural Delights Medjool dates
- ¼ cup peanut butter or nut butter of your choice (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, pumpkin seed butter, etc.)
- 1 to 2 cups white chocolate chips or candy melts*
- Coconut oil
- Liquid or gel food coloring
- Colorful Sprinkles (bonus for Easter themed ones!)
Instructions
- Start by slitting each Medjool date on one side to remove the pit, ensuring not to cut all the way through.
- Fill each date with about one teaspoon of nut butter using a small spoon or a piping bag. Gently close the dates around the filling.
- Place the filled dates on a plate lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, divide the white chocolate among small bowls, one for each color you wish to make. Melt the chocolate in a microwave in 30-second intervals at 50% power until melted, typically about 2 minutes in total.
- To each bowl of melted chocolate, add a small spoonful of coconut oil followed by a few drops of food coloring. Stir to mix.
- Using a toothpick, skewer each date then dip into the chocolate, ensuring it's fully coated. Gently shake off the excess chocolate and place the date back on the parchment paper.
- Choose how you'd like to decorate the eggs:• For Sprinkles: While the dates are still wet with chocolate, immediately add Easter-themed sprinkles before the chocolate sets.• For Squiggly Lines: Wait until the chocolate coating is set, then use a piping bag to apply a different color of chocolate drizzles. To create a simple piping tool, grab a plastic sandwich bag and fill it with leftover melted chocolate. Then carefully snip away a tiny corner to create a small opening. Gently squeeze to pipe out the chocolate, decorating the dates with squiggly lines.
- Store the date "eggs" in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Notes
Nutrition
save this chocolate "easter egg" recipe on pinterest:
Leave a Reply