Dates are intensely sweet, in fact you can even replace them for sugar in many recipes. Dates have so much to offer for your health. They're packed with minerals like magnesium, iron, copper and potassium, all of which support a healthy heart. They also provide vitamin B6, antioxidants along with fiber. This is a recipe to help you control your sugar cravings and still feel like you cheated. The Co-Op offers the most beautiful Dates; Deglet noor pitted

Recipe:
Yields: 36 candies
Serving Size: 2 candies (130 calories)

1 c. pitted dates (about 20 dates)
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
2 T. coconut oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
Flaky sea salt for topping if you like

Directions:

• Soak the dates in hot water for 15 minutes and drain
• Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and grease the paper.
• In the bowl of your food processor, combine the dates, peanut butter, coconut oil, vanilla and salt. Process until smooth.
• Spread evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan and freeze for 60 minutes.
• Slice into 1 inch square, sprinkle with sea salt and serve.
• Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week.
• They are soft coming right out of the freezer, and make a perfect treat after a meal to tell your body you are done eating.

This recipe comes from Bob's Red Mill. They specialize in Gluten Free products. There are many gluten free flours on the market but after doing some research Bob's Red Mill has the best combination of ingredients. Their flour is made from Garbanzo Bean Flour, Potato Starch, Tapioca Flour, White Sorghum Flour, Fava Bean Flour. Gluten free baked goods tend to be dryer and more crumbly in texture that is why the xanthan gum is added to give the baked goods more structure.


Oven: 350 degrees F.
Pan:    9x5 inch non-stick loaf pan or (3) 5x3 inch loaf pans
Bake:  9x5 inch loaf for 1 hour
            5x3 inch loaves for 45 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1/3 c. Canola Oil
• 2/3 c. Brown Sugar
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 c. All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour
  
• 2 ts. Baking Powder
• 1 1/4 tsp. Comma,pm
• 1 tsp. Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum (provides structure to the bread)
  
• 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 1 1/2 c. Bananas (ripe and mashed)
  
• 1 c. Chocolate Chips

                   or

• 1/2 c. Pecans or walnuts (finely chopped)
• 1/2 c. Raisins

Directions:

1. Cream together, oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer.
2. Add Flour, xanthan gum, salt, baking powder and cinnamon to egg mixture, alternating with bananas.
3. Beat until smooth. Stir in nuts and raisins. Batter will be somewhat soft.
4. Transfer to pan(s).

Source: bobsredmill.com