It is the holiday season and the date squares are a welcomed treat. I came across a quick and easy recipe that has a different spin on a date treat.

The ingredients are simple:

• Medjoul dates
• chunky peanut butter
• Semi-sweet chocolate
• Unsalted butter
• Salt

This recipe is for 10 treats.

Pit 10 dates by carefully slicing them in half, length wise. You will find a thin seed between the core fibre. Take the tip of your knife and pry it out. The seed should come out easily.

Scoop a teaspoon of chunky peanut butter and place it in the centre of the date. You can also add chopped peanuts to the centre, for extra crunch, too. Tightly fold the date halves together and press like it’s a peanut butter sandwich.

To make the chocolate topping, use a double boiler and melt the semi-sweet chocolate and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Mix together well.

Once the chocolate is smooth coat each peanut butter date with chocolate and place on parchment paper or a cookie sheet. Sprinkle salt (I recommend sea salt) to the top of each treat and let them rest in the freezer for 1 hour.

Serve as a delicious dessert. I have to admit they really do taste like Snickers bars! You can pretty them up a bit more. Mine were a bit rushed with my sons over my shoulder, but either way it is a healthy alternative to a guilty pleasure chocolate bar.