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Date Nut Clusters
From Dorothy McNett's recipes at www.dorothymcnett.com. Make these for a fabulous finger food dessert for holiday parties. They pair nicely with cheeses and wines, as well! Happy holidays! Coat some wikth the extra-dark chocolate and simply roll others in powdered sugar or cocoa powder. Makes about 36 small balls.
1/2 cup raw almonds
2 cups pitted dates
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup orange juice (or port or marsala wine, etc.)
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup sesame or hemp seeds, or a combo
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 - 1 cup dark chocolate chips
sprinkles of semi-coarse sea salt
3-4 tablespoons organic powdered sugar (or cocoa powder)
In food processor with steel chopping blade in place, whirl the almonds to finely chop them. Add the dates and pulse to chop and blend. Add the oats, juice, coconut, and seeds. Pulse just to blend nicely and to make a mixture that you can shape into small balls with your hands. You may need to add a bit more juice or oats to get the right consistency. Shape into small bite sized balls about 1 inch in diameter and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Melt the chocolate chips in a glass measuring cup in microwave for 30-45 seconds. Stir well to finish melting, adding 15-20 seconds more if needed. Using a spoon dip and roll the round balls into the melted chocolate and place on the parchment lined sheet. Sprinkle with a few salt crystals. Allow to cool at room temperature. Or simply roll the round balls into powdered sugar to coat evenly.
Recipe created 2013-11-25.
