I picked up a little book from the library by Collette White called “Lunch box solutions“.* Turns out Collette has an empire of “Cut out the Crap” book and a blog. Collette’s recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, refined sugar-free and preservative-free. This is lunchbox freeeeeedom.
I based this Rosy choc fudge on Collette’s Choc mint fudge. Mine went rosy because I didn’t have any food-grade peppermint oil and my standard peppermint oil said “do not ingest”, so I thought I’d add some drops of rosewater instead. I also skipped the medjool and just put in ordinary pitted dates that were on special at Harris Farm, because I’m cheap like that. Then I tried the recipe a few different ways until it tasted amazing. Dates, even the non-Medjool kind are amazing.
The kids really thought this was chocolate. I managed to get 24 pieces out of the recipe and I rationed the kids over three lunchboxes and two afternoon teas. Otherwise the whole thing would have been gone in one session. It’s really, really yummy, really, really easy and super healthy to boot. Trifecta!
Trifecta rosy mint fudge
2 ½ cups of pitted dates
2 cups desiccated coconut
½ cup pepitas
½ cup sunflower seeds
2 Tbs cacao (or cocoa)
1 Tbs chia seeds (or poppy or leave out altogether)
2 Tbs maple syrup
6 drops rosewater (or food-grade peppermint oil or leave out altogether)
Line a 20 x 20cm slice tin with baking paper, leaving enough on the sides to fold back over the top (more on this later).
Put all of the ingredients except the rosewater and blitz on high until smooth. Time this takes will vary depending on your food processor, but with an S blade in my crappy old thing it took about 4 minutes with a couple of scrapes down the side. A Thermomix will probably do the job in 1.2 seconds.
Once completely smooth and combined, put the processor onto low and slowly add your drops of rosewater. Blitz for another 10 seconds or so to make sure it’s all combined.
Press the mix into your slice tin, pushing it all in firmly with your hands. Smooth the top with a large metal spoon.
Refrigerate for about an hour before slicing into small squares or rectangles (or circles – whatever takes your fancy!). This also freezes well for about a month.
Add this recipe to your Yummly feed: Yum
* Em, there’s a one word / two word for you… I use ‘lunchbox’ but I know Kidspot uses ‘lunch box’ and so does this book! What say you?
Do you like dates? What about the food kind?
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Gael - The Vinyl Edition says
OK I’ve just printed that out. Believe it or not I have everything except pepitas, so I’ll just use extra sunflower seeds. Time to crack open the pack of Cacao I’ve had sitting in the pantry for 6 months.
PS. I love dates, but only in baked goods, not by themselves.
Seana Smith says
Looks yum, I tend to eat a LOT of this sort of thing when I make it, it’s a fight between e and the kids. A non-nut school-friendly version is much required… and I’d freeze it to keep it out of my eyeline!
Erin says
Oh awesome, having to do the grain free, refined sugar free thing again, they look awesome.
Hard too to find nut free alternatives if your school is nut free, so showing my sil
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
I often make something similar to this but that rose water is such an unusual addition but I think it would give it an amazing twist!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
This looks great and I have most of the ingredients in the pantry too. I rarely buy medjool dates as they are just too bloody expensive and I will just eat them all in one sitting! Tough one re: one word or two, I’m probably more in the two words camp as I think it just looks better.
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
I like dates of both the edible and romantic variety and I like both kinds in bars and both to be delicious. This looks awesome. I’m keen to give it a go and see if it really does take 1.2 seconds in the Thermomix!
Holly says
Like that it has chia in it – I have been trying to eat a tablespoon every day but it is tough to find things to put it in!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
Hahaha I love chocolate that’s not really chocolate. Rosewater is a clever idea! It works so well in desserts… so why not! Yum! Thanks for joining our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party xx
Jennifer Tammy says
Wow, I love how jam-packed full of healthy ingredients these are — and they sound delish!
Sasha @ From the Left Field says
Oh this looks amazing! I’m always trying to switch up recipes and get a bit of healthy yum going for the kids- this will be a fab one to try out. Thanks lovely! x
Nicole - Champagne and Chips says
You cook like me. Dates schmates, add a drop of water and you have yourself a medjool. I am also very pleased to know that a crappy blender can manage this too.