With Halloween fast approaching every parent is clearly in costume panic mode. Last minute swords, fake blood galore, and the restocking of  the handout candy. Cause that box you hid (out of sight and out of mind) we both know you found yourself visiting each night grabbing one, two, maybe three mini chocolate bars. But the problem with this nightly tradition is, when Oct 30th rolls around all you’re left with is an empty box and sugar filled guilt.

This little tidbit of truth got me to thinking (light bulb moment) what if I could make you a “healthier” treat for this candy filled holiday?!? But when I say “healthier” I’m not talking about banana ghosts with chocolate chip eyes, or a clementine pumpkin with a celery stem, because guess what… If I wanted a piece of fruit I’d have a piece of fruit. Plus what type of mean trick are you health nuts trying to pull??? I am all about healthier choices but a piece of fruit is not the same thing as a chocolate bar.

Now i’m not saying you should all load up on candy bars just because it’s halloween, but what if I told you that I took a classic, broke it down layer by layer, and TAH DAH: a treat that would trick any sugar loving addict.

ALMOND BUTTER BITES

Ingredients

10 Medjool Dates sliced in half pit removed
3-4 tbsp. of almond butter
1/4 cup of chopped almonds
1/2 cup of melted dark chocolate
Sprinkle of sea salt to finish.

First, get a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper, you’ll be using this a little later on to let your dates set.

Next, cut your dates lengthwise to remove the pit, but when cutting your dates do not cut them completely in half.

Now take a spoonful of almond butter and smear that into the date along with some of your chopped-up almonds. Keep in mind that you don’t want to over stuff your dates because when you go to schmoosh it back together it will be too full.

Once all your dates are stuffed and schmooshed, melt the dark chocolate and dip each date to cover then onto your prepared baking sheet to set. I put mine into the freezer to speed up this process, because patience is not my strong suit when it comes to chocolate.

Promise these taste just as good as the evil candy bar it’s based on but with only five ingredients. Now this is a trick I can get onboard with.