These naturally sweetened, no sugar added, coconut cream fruit tarts are the perfect no bake, naturally gluten free and vegan Valentines’ day dessert that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth (and they’re a whole30 dessert recipe too!)

Let’s talk about dates for a second.

No, I’m not talking about dates like the hand-holding-going-out-to-dinner-and-a-movie type dates (although I do love those kind of dates) I’m talking about the delicious fruit. Dates are naturally sweet and super versatile.

They can be used to make little energy bites (like these cherry chocolate chip no bake energy bites) and are perfect for ‘no bake’ desserts, because they have a great moldable-yet-firm texture.

During my latest grocery shopping trip to Pick ‘n Save I was leaving the produce section and realized I forgot some raspberries….as I turn back into the section, I saw a big box of dates, right by the nuts section! I turned my cart right around and put a big box in my cart.

With my newly purchased dates (and fruit) I headed home where I was greeted by my husband (ok fine, if you want to know, I called him from down the street and asked if he could carry in the groceries for me) who upon seeing the giant container of dates asked ‘what are you going to do with these?’

My response was of course ‘eat them’ (I’m sassy like that lol).

Since I’m doing the Whole30 diet (see here and here for overviews) I can’t have any added sugar, but dates? Dates I can have! They’re sweet, and absolutely perfect for creating a little Valentine’s day dessert.

Every year my husband and I forgo the crowed restaurants with difficult to get reservations and pushy wait staff trying to turn the tables over and enjoy a nice, low key evening in.

He cooks me dinner (a delicious steak and mushrooms) and I make a potato side dish (in years past I’ve made these leek stuffed baked potatoes, but this year I’m thinking I’m just going to do oven roasted potatoes in olive oil) and then dessert. And these coconut cream fruit tarts will be the perfect dessert.

The tart crusts are made with dates and almonds, and then the filling is just whipped coconut milk and then a little bit of the dates and almond mixture and then the tarts are topped with strawberries.

Since there’s no baking involved, they are perfect for making ahead the night before, but in reality they take a total of 10-15 minutes to make, so even if you start them before dinner and then let them cool a little in the fridge while you eat, they’re perfect!

Happy Valentine’s Day…what are your plans? Do you have any Valentine’s day traditions?

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Coconut Cream Fruit Tarts {no bake, naturally gluten free and vegan Valentine’s day dessert}

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 12-14 mejool dates, pits removed
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/4 cup raspberries
• 1/4 cup strawberries, sliced

Instructions

In a food processor process mejool dates and almonds until there are no big chunks (mine always forms a big ball when it's done, and it usually takes about 30 seconds to a minute on high in the food processor.) Carefully remove the blade and take 1 heaping spoonful of the mixture and set aside.

Line two small springform molds or two small pans and line with parchment paper.

Divide the date/almond mixture between the two molds and with hands press the date/almond mixture to form a crust.

In a mixing bowl spoon coconut milk (you only want the solid parts from the can, you will see clear liquid and then solid white...the white stuff is what you want) and then with a hand mixer whip it for a minute, then add the spoonful of date/almond mixture that you've reserved and 5 raspberries. Beat until combined (there will be some small date, almond, and raspberry bits in the mixture.)

spoon the coconut cream into the tart crusts and then top the tarts with raspberries and sliced strawberries