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Easy Date Snickers

Featured in Sweet Treats You'll Actually Make Twice.

Turn medjool dates into a delightful snack with this easy Date Snickers Bark. It uses basic ingredients like dates, peanut butter, melted chocolate, and nuts. In just 30 minutes (chill time included), you’ll have a delicious, no-bake dessert that’s both sweet and salty. It stores nicely in the fridge for up to two weeks, making it a perfect make-ahead treat.
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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 22:28:50 GMT
A mouthwatering chocolate treat topped with peanuts and almonds, ready to savor. Pin it
A mouthwatering chocolate treat topped with peanuts and almonds, ready to savor. | cookbybook.com

When you bite into these Date Candy Bars, you'll get that perfect mix of chewy, smooth, nutty, and chocolate yumminess that knocks out sugar cravings without any processed junk. Medjool dates naturally taste like caramel, and when you pair them with creamy peanut butter, they're surprisingly similar to that famous chocolate bar we grew up with. I found this treat during a whole foods challenge, and it's now my favorite guilt-free sweet that I can enjoy anytime.

I served these at our family gathering last week, and my candy-obsessed teenage nephew grabbed handful after handful before asking to take extras home. His eyes nearly popped out when I mentioned they were mostly just dates.

Key Components

  • Medjool dates: You can't substitute these - their large size, soft texture, and natural caramel taste are crucial. Go for plump ones that give slightly when pressed.
  • Natural peanut butter: Grab the kind with only peanuts and maybe salt listed on the label. The runnier type works better for spreading.
  • Dark chocolate: A 70% cocoa content gives you the right sweet-rich balance, but adjust to what you like best.
  • Roasted peanuts: Get them without salt so you can manage the overall salt level. Rough chop them for better texture.
  • Flaky sea salt: This final touch is optional but creates amazing flavor contrast with the sweetness.
A stack of chocolate bars with nuts on top. Pin it
A stack of chocolate bars with nuts on top. | cookbybook.com

Step-by-Step Process

Getting Dates Ready
Pick big, soft Medjool dates. Cut a slit down the side with a small knife. Pull out the pit while keeping the date mostly intact. Open each date slightly to form a pocket. For bark style, arrange them in one layer.
Adding the Filling
For stuffed version, put a dollop of peanut butter into each date's opening. Push chopped peanuts into the peanut butter layer. Gently squeeze dates to close around the filling. If making bark, spread peanut butter across the flattened dates and cover with lots of chopped peanuts.
Melting Chocolate
Break your chocolate into chunks for better melting. Warm it in the microwave at half power, stopping every 30 seconds. Mix thoroughly between each warming session. If you want it smoother, add a bit of coconut oil. Stop heating once it's just melted to avoid burning.
Putting It All Together
For stuffed treats, drop each filled date into the melted chocolate. Use two forks to coat it fully and pick it up. For bark style, pour melted chocolate over the peanut layer. Use a flat spatula to spread it to the edges. Quickly sprinkle sea salt on top before the chocolate hardens.

The first time I tried making these, I ended up with tasty but messy blobs. Now I've learned to keep everything cold between steps for a much prettier finished product.

Perfect Present Idea

These treats make wonderful homemade gifts. I pack them in small boxes with parchment paper lining, and keep them cold until right before I hand them over.

Party Trick

When hosting dinners, I create tiny versions using smaller dates and serve them as surprising sweet bites with after-dinner coffee.

These date treats have changed my whole approach to dessert. Instead of fighting my sweet cravings, I've found a way to satisfy them with stuff that's actually good for me. Making these by hand gives me a connection to my food that just can't happen when unwrapping a store-bought candy bar.

A stack of chocolate bars with nuts on top. Pin it
A stack of chocolate bars with nuts on top. | cookbybook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Do I have to use medjool dates, or can I swap them for another kind?
Medjool dates are ideal since they're big, soft, and taste like caramel, but if needed, other types can work too.
→ Can I swap natural peanut butter for crunchy peanut butter?
Definitely! Crunchy peanut butter adds texture that works perfectly in the bark.
→ Is coconut oil essential for melting the chocolate?
Not really. Coconut oil makes the chocolate smoother to spread and gives a nice snap once chilled, but you can skip it.
→ How should I store extra Date Snickers Bark?
Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for about two weeks or freeze it if storing longer.
→ Can I make this nut-free for allergies?
Yes! Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter and opt for pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds as a replacement for nuts.

Date Snickers Bark

Put together Date Snickers Bark with dates, chocolate, and peanut butter. A perfect snack to replace candy bars with something wholesome.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
5 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1/2 teaspoon flaky salt (use if you like)
02 1/2 cup (60 g) crushed peanuts
03 1 teaspoon coconut oil (optional)
04 12 oz. (340 g) chopped chocolate or chocolate chips
05 20 medjool dates, seeds removed
06 1/4 - 1/2 cup (64 - 128 g) smooth peanut butter, stirred

Instructions

Step 01

Put wax or parchment paper on a large plate or small baking tray. If the dates still have pits, remove them all.

Step 02

Split each date down the center and pull the sides apart so they lay flat. Line them up next to each other on the parchment paper to make a base layer. Cover them with another piece of parchment paper, then use the bottom of a cup or your hand to press the dates down into a single flat layer, filling any gaps.

Step 03

Pop the chocolate and coconut oil (if using) into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between bursts, until melted and smooth (this usually takes about 2-3 rounds). Let it cool slightly.

Step 04

Spread the peanut butter across the pressed dates in an even layer. Pour the melted chocolate over the top and smooth it out with a spatula. Sprinkle crushed peanuts and flaky salt (if you'd like) over the chocolate.

Step 05

Move the tray to the fridge for an hour or to the freezer for 20-30 minutes until hard. Use a sharp knife to cut it into pieces of any size or shape you want.

Notes

  1. A satisfying mix of sweet and salty flavors made with wholesome ingredients.
  2. Works as bark or stuffed chocolate-covered dates—your choice!
  3. Keeps fresh in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 14 days.
  4. Tastes best straight from the fridge.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large plate or small baking sheet
  • Wax paper or parchment paper
  • Microwave-safe dish
  • Icing knife or flexible spatula
  • Sharp cutting knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains peanuts

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~