No-Cook Chocolate Valentine Hearts

This recipe was inspired by The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond. To learn more about the book and to see all our The Day It Rained Hearts activities, click here. 

 

These easy, chocolatley treats are sure to satisfy a Valentine sweet tooth, in a healthier way than the usual fare. Sweetened with dates (one of my favorite ingredients since discovering them during our Eating the Alphabet project) and made of just 5 ingredients, these are a sweeter way to show someone you care. 

Speaking of the usual Valentine fare, why not use some those conversation hearts for art supplies? 

I halved the original recipe, but you can double it for giving as a Valentine gift or a party (although they do contain almonds, so beware of nut allergies). 

The great thing about this recipe is that kids can do practically everything to make these, expect use the food processor. Once the chocolate paste is made, you basically have edible chocolate play-dough. Doesn't sound too bad, right? Have fun patting out and cutting with small cookie cutters, or roll into balls or abstract hearts!

 

No-Cook Chocolate Valentine Hearts

Adapted from Family Fun, February 2013.

Makes about 20 treats. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole pitted dates (about 5 ounces)
• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons water

1. Place dates, almonds, coconut, and cocoa powder in a food processor. Process until almonds are finely chopped (it will be loud!). 
2. Pour in water and pulse until a paste forms. 
3. Keep a small dish of water nearby to keep finger from getting sticky. Remove blade from bowl of food processor. There are several options for forming treats: a) Simply roll into small balls. b) Pat out some of the paste on your work surface. Dip a roughly 2-inch heart cookie cutter in the water and cut out a heart. Remoce the excess around the cutter before lifting and gently releasing the heart. c) Place some dough inside the cookie cutter and press down, then remove from "mold". 
4. Enjoy! These will keep in the fridge for about a week.