Stuffed Dates Pralines

These are dried dates filled with a mixture of marzipan, pistachios and icing sugar. Lastly, they are partly dipped in dark chocolate couverture.  Another praline addition to my christmas cookies selection this year.

Ingredients (yields 30 pieces):
30 dried dates (deseeded)
50 g icing sugar
50 g pistachios, to be finely chopped
150 g marzipan
1 tsp Curacao liqueur (optional) - I added rose essence instead

2 tbsp castor sugar
200 g dark chocolate couverture

Method:
In a mixer bowl, add icing sugar, chopped pistachios, marzipan and liqueur.  By using the dough hook, knead until well mixed.  Divide marzipan dough into 30 oval shape pieces.  Then, roll them in sugar and set aside.  Insert a marzipan piece into each date.  Repeat until all ingredients are used up.

In a bain marie, melt couverture over low heat.  Dip each date piece into couverture half way.  Remove to a baking tray which is lined with baking paper.

Leave to dry overnight before storing in tin with each layer lined with pergament paper.

Bon Appetit!