No Cook Confections - Quick & Easy Date-Almond, Cashew-Coconut, & Date-Walnut Bites

Happy New Year everyone! I wanted to start the New Year with a sweet, healthy option for satisfying the craving for a little sweet something.

These quick and easy Date Bites are delicious little confections for those times when you want something sweet but healthy.  Although similar to the digestive Masala Date Bites, these confections are exactly that - simply little confections to satisfy a sweet tooth! - so use only a smidgen of spices. They really are very easy as well as quick and take only about 10 minutes to make plus chilling time.

Date Bites store well in the fridge; if longer storage is needed, they freeze well also.

NOTES:

If the dates are soft and moist, use them straight up. If they are on the dry side, sprinkle with about 1 or 2 tablespoons of warm water, let them soak for 10 minutes or so until the dates are soft, then proceed.

Chill the date mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes or so. Chilling helps to firm it up and form into bites. Moistening the hands with a sprinkle of water will help prevent sticking.

Alternative to rolling into balls, the date mixture maybe pressed into a pan lined with parchment, chilled until firm, and cut into little squares, about 24.

The date bites maybe rolled in Cocoa Powder, Matcha (Green Tea) powder, toasted Sesame seeds, other ground Nuts, etc which are other lovely options.

About 24 Bites

Date Almond Bites

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Almonds, raw or toasted

1 Tbsp ground Cinnamon/1 tsp ground Cardamom seeds

1 cup Dates, pitted

1/4 cup Finely chopped Pistachios, Hemp seeds, OR Finely chopped Almonds

Method:

Process the almonds in a food processor until finely chopped; add the spices and dates and process pulsing until finely chopped and mixed well.

Scoop the almond-date mixture into a container and put in the fridge for 15 minutes or so. Chilling helps to firm up the date mixture and form into bites.

Shape into small patties or balls and roll them in pistachios, almonds, or the hemp seeds and chill until serving. Moisten hands with a little water now and then to avoid the date mixture sticking to hands. Store the Date-Almond Bites in a covered container in the fridge.

Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!!

Cashew-Coconut Date Bites

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Cashews, raw or toasted

1/2 tsp ground Cardamom Seeds

1 cup Dates, pits removed

1/2 cup dried unsweetened  Coconut, finely grated, divided

Method:

Process cashews in a food processor and pulsing until finely chopped; they maybe chopped using a  blender or a knife also.

If only shredded coconut is handy, no worries, just process until finely grated.

Add the cardamom, pitted dates, and half the coconut. Process until finely chopped and the mixture comes together. Spoon into a bowl and chill for about 15 minutes or so.

With moistened hands (to avoid the date mixture sticking to hands) form 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture into small balls.

Place remaining coconut in a shallow bowl, and roll the balls in the coconut. Place the date bites in a covered container and store in refrigerator.

Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!!

Date-Walnut Bites

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Walnuts, raw or toasted

1 Tbsp ground Cinnamon
1 pinch grated Nutmeg

1 cup Dates, pitted

1/4 cup Finely chopped toasted Walnuts

Method:

Process the walnuts in a food processor until finely chopped; add cinnamon and dates and process pulsing until finely chopped and mixed well.

Scoop the walnut-date mixture into a container and put in the fridge for 15 minutes or so. Chilling helps to firm up the date mixture and form into bites.

Shape into small patties or balls and roll them in the chopped walnuts and chill until serving. Moisten hands with a little water now and then to avoid the date mixture sticking to hands.

Store the Date-Walnut Bites in a covered container in the fridge.

Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!!