Strawberry Walnut Lollipops
Description
These Strawberry-Walnut Lollipops showcase fresh California strawberries filled with a delicious chocolatey center that’s based on a blend of California walnuts, cocoa, dates, vanilla, and a pinch of orange zest. And then, of course, it’s all enjoyed on lollipop sticks.
Ingredients
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2/3 cup California walnut halves and pieces
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3 oz pitted dried dates (about 10-12 dates)
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2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
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1/2 tsp grated orange or mandarin orange zest
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1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
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1/8 tsp sea salt
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1/2 tsp unsweetened green tea or water, or as needed (optional)
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16 extra-large California strawberries
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Materials: 16 (4-inch) lollipop sticks
PREPARATION
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Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts and toast while stirring occasionally until desired brownness, about 2 1/2 minutes.
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Add the walnuts, dates, cocoa powder, orange zest, vanilla, and salt to a food processor. Cover and puree on high speed until mixture has a thick, dough-like texture when pressed with the back of a spatula, at least 3 minutes, adding the drizzling of tea or water, if needed.
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Remove the leaves (hull) the strawberries. Core (scoop out) the center white part of each strawberry using a paring knife and/or small melon baller or 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon.
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With your fingers, press or roll the strawberry-walnut filling into 16 pear-shaped balls, about 1 fully-rounded measuring teaspoon each. Press one ball into (and just outside of) each strawberry crevasse/opening. (Note: It’ll be pear-shaped). Insert each stuffed strawberry onto a lollipop stick.
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Keep chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Store for up to 4 days.
NUTRITION
- Total Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.4 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Dietary Fiber: 3 g
- Total Sugars: 10 g
- Added Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Vitamin D: 0 mcg
- Calcium: 23 mg
- Iron: 1 mg
- Potassium: 204 mg