Date Caramel Peanut Butter Cups

break up with store-bought peanut butter cups, your life is about to change

If I had a dollar, no, a nickel, okay – you’re right, even a penny, for how many dates I’ve eaten, date recipes I’ve created, thoughts I’ve had about dates (um, not the kind you like, go to dinner with), I’d be probably set for life. And then some. 

Let’s just state the obvious: I am no stranger to dates. They’ve been on my table since I was a kid, and I’ve been stuffing them for a decade. Many seem to have risen from their slumbers filled with avocado toast and chia seeds to deem stuffed dates their most recent snickers-like, nature’s candy health obsession, but the truth is that I’ve seen and experienced the gifts that dates bring to the table for years. Aside from their cultural importance to me, they’ve also informed much of my culinary efforts since the start of my work in food – sweetening without the refined sugar, texturing crusts for no-bake cheesecake, and providing what I deem to be the absolute perfect pick-me-up snack or treat at any time, anywhere. Um, this also feels relevant:

That being said, and I’m sure this will come as no surprise to you, I’m always thinking (read: having dreams) about new ways to use dates and this one…wow, this is a recipe I can’t unsee. I’ve been making them every week and I have a feeling you might join the club, too. 

Enter….Date Caramel Peanut Butter Cups!! Are we collectively freaking out?

I decided to develop these Date Caramel Peanut Butter Cups because I found myself found myself in a phase of purchasing what some may say is an unreasonable amount of peanut butter cups from the store. Though my desire for instant gratification clearly was taking over, one day it all changed — in the checkout line, I snapped out of my trance and said to myself “.....what are you even doing, Samah?” I promptly marched home and made these instead. Best decision I ever made.

RECIPE & VIDEO: