A Naturally Sweetened No-Recipe Recipe for Valentine’s Day
If you’re looking for a simple, elegant Valentine’s treat that feels special without turning on the oven, these Pistachio Stuffed, Ganache Glazed Date Hearts are pure magic. Soft, caramel-like Medjool dates are hand-shaped into rustic little hearts, filled with creamy pistachio butter, and finished with a glossy layer of ganache and a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
They’re naturally sweet, delightfully chewy, and just indulgent enough to feel celebratory, yet made with just a handful of ingredients. While I chose pistachio butter for Valentine’s Day, you can use any nut butter you love. For a nut-free confection, try tahini or simply tuck in a chunk of ganache for a double-chocolate surprise.
Keep them chilled for that perfect chewy bite, and enjoy sharing (or savoring) them straight from the freezer.
Fun Fact: In parts of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, pistachios have historically been considered a symbol of vitality and fertility, with folk traditions suggesting they were eaten under moonlight to bring good fortune in love.
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Pistachio Stuffed Date Hearts with Ganache Glaze
Naturally sweet Medjool dates are shaped into hearts, filled with creamy pistachio butter, and topped with rich dark ganache. A simple, no-bake treat that’s elegant, chewy, and perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
- Medjool Dates as many per person as you wish
- Pistachio Butter 2-3 tsp per date
- Chocolate Ganache See recipe. 1 tbps per date, more or less.
- Chopped Pistachios a handful
Instructions
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Cover a cutting board with parchment paper
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Place dates on the parchment.
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Use a small paring knife to open the dates but don’t split them into two halves.
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Use the palm of your hand to flatten and shape each date into a freeform heart.
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Freeze 10 minutes.
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Remove from the freezer and fill with pistachio butter, or your filling of choice.
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Freeze again for 10 minutes.
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Spread ganache (link to recipe) over the cold filling. It will set fast.
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Sprinkle with a dusting of nuts.
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Store frozen in a covered container.
Notes
Enjoy.
While I chose pistachio butter for Valentines Day, use any nut butter, or for a nut-free confection, fill with tahini or simply a chunk of ganache.
Tips: Freezing the dates helps the filling set and the Ganache will set in seconds.
