Peanut Butter Date Buckeyes

These peanut butter buckeyes are made with wholesome ingredients and are naturally sweetened with Medrol dates for a healthier spin.

Ingredients

• For the Buckeyes:  ·   
• Peanut Butter  ·  1 cup 
• Medjool Dates, pitted and dried  ·  1/2 cup 
• Unsalted Butter, room temperature  ·  5 tablespoons 
• Powdered Sugar  ·  2 cups 
• Vanilla Extract  ·  1 teaspoon 
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips  ·  2 cups 
• Vegetable Oil or Coconut Oil  ·  2 tablespoons 
• Wooden Toothpicks, round  ·  1 package 
•  ·   
• For the Blackberry Preserve:  ·   
• Blackberries  ·  6 ounces 
• Herbie's Smoothie Booster  ·  1 tablespoon 
• Sugar  ·  2 tablespoons 
• Water  ·  2 tablespoons 

Instructions

For the Buckeyes:

1. Start by soaking the dried dates in warm water for 10 minutes until softened. After 10 min. remove the dates from the warm water and coarsely chop with a knife then process in a food processor and pulse until smooth. The consistency should be like a paste. reserve.
2. In a stand mixer or bowl add the softened butter, powdered sugar and mix together on medium setting or with a whisk. Mix together until light and creamy. Stop the mixer and add the peanut butter, date paste and vanilla extract, continue mixing for 1 min.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and remove 2 tablespoons of peanut mixture at a time and form them into balls with your hands. Make sure to create a semi flat surface of the bottom so they can sit on the baking sheet.
4. Freeze for 1 hour or over night until they are semi hard. Remove the baking sheet and firmly place a toothpick in each ball.
5. Melt the chocolate chips with the vegetable oil in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl for 15 second increments until melted. Carefully stir to combine.
6. Carefully dip each frozen ball in the melted chocolate mixture until there is an eye left on top, around the tooth pick, that is not covered with chocolate. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until the chocolate has completely set.

For the Blackberry Preserve:

1. Add sugar and the water to a small saucepan over medium heat. as soon as it comes to a boil remove from the heat and let it cool.
2. Add the blackberries to a bowl and pour over the cooled liquid or simple syrup.
3. Stir vigorously until the blackberries begin to macerate.
4. Add Herbie's Smoothie Booster to the bowl. Cover and refrigerate for the following day.

Jenny's Tip: - When ready to eat, remove the toothpicks from the buckeyes and serve with the blackberry preserve.