Dates Stuffed With Hazelnuts And Chocolate

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup hazelnuts, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 30 dates, fresh
• 1 3/4 cups chopped hazelnuts
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon hazelnut-flavored liqueur (optional)

Recipe

• 1 first, make the hazel nut paste by combining the 1 3/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, egg whites, confectioners' sugar and hazelnut liqueur (optional) in a food processor to form a paste (mixture can be refrigerated, covered, up to 2 weeks).
• 2 heat oven to 350 degrees. place hazelnuts on a baking sheet; toast in oven until lightly browned, 3-5 minutes, watching closely so they don't burn. set aside to cool.
• 3 meanwhile, slice each date on one side to form a pocket; set aside.
• 4 mix 1/3 cup hazelnut paste and chocolate in a bowl; spoon the hazelnut/chocolate mixture into each date. sprinkle chopped hazelnuts over the filling.
• 5 serve or refrigerate up to 1 week.