Strawberry Spread with Pie Chips for DOLE®

I spent the better part of yesterday eating yummy things. And it wasn’t even my birthday. Why, you ask? I was in the kitchen testing recipes for the DOLE® California Cook-Off Contest, because I would most certainly like to go to LA. And I definitely would like to win 10 grand. One of the rules is to prepare your recipe on a grill or burner. Now, I’m an oven gal myself, not a stove-top gal. So this posed a challenge. I came up with Strawberry Spread and Pie Chips. And oh my goodness yum.

This easy-to-make strawberry spread is full of flavor and super versatile. Serve it warm or cold, as an appetizer, snack or treat. Use it as a dip for tortilla chips or crackers, or as a spread for bread. Taking inspiration from strawberry pie, I made a sweeter, more indulgent snack: pie crust chips. Flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pie chips are so delicate, you need to spoon the spread on top. And after all day in the kitchen, my end result recipe takes only about half an hour from beginning to end to make. Did I say “Yum”? “Yum.”

Want to make some? I posted the recipe and step-by-step how-tos with photographs HERE at Foodie.com.

Want to enter the Dole California Cook-Off, too? Create your own appetizer or starter recipe using a cup of any Dole product and you’ll have a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles to compete in a cookoff. AND win $10,000. (Two runners up win $1000, which isn’t too shabby either.) And if cooking isn’t your thing, you can still win a trip to LA and 500 bucks as a fan judge alongside celebrity chef Ben Ford.

Find more information on the the DOLE® California Cook-Off Contest HERE and find the Official Rules to Enter HERE.

“Compensation was provided by Dole via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dole.”

I’m completely smitten with the idea of Dubai-style desserts — elegant, a touch exotic, and somehow always Instagram-ready. I haven’t made it to Dubai (yet), but these chocolate-dipped dates bring that luxe, golden glow right into my kitchen. They’re the kind of treat that looks like you spent hours making them, but really, you’re done in under twenty minutes.

They’re sweet, sticky, nutty, and just the right amount of fancy. Perfect for gifting, nibbling with coffee, or impressing that friend who thinks “homemade” means complicated.

Ingredients

12 Medjool dates, pitted
¼ cup pistachios or almonds (to stuff inside)
100g dark chocolate (or milk chocolate if you prefer it sweet)
1 tsp coconut oil (optional, for smoother chocolate)
Crushed pistachios, shredded coconut, or edible gold flakes for decoration

Instructions

Prep the Dates:
Slice each date along one side to remove the pit, keeping the date mostly intact. Fill the cavity with a whole almond or a few chopped pistachios. Gently close the date back up.
Melt the Chocolate:
Place chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and glossy.
Dip and Decorate:
Dip each stuffed date halfway into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off. Lay them on a parchment-lined tray. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle with crushed pistachios, coconut, or a pinch of edible gold flakes for that Dubai sparkle.
Chill and Serve:
Pop the tray into the fridge for about 10–15 minutes, just until the chocolate firms up. Serve on a pretty platter or package them in small gift boxes.

Optional Flavor Twists

Rose Touch: Add a drop of rose water to the melted chocolate for a floral note.
Saffron Luxe: Dust the top with crushed saffron threads before chilling.
Coffee Kick: Dip in mocha-flavored chocolate for a bolder bite.

Why You’ll Love These

They’re everything Dubai desserts stand for — rich, refined, and effortlessly elegant. A little old-world tradition wrapped in modern chocolate bliss. Keep a few in the fridge for when you need something sweet but can’t be bothered to turn on the oven.

Have you read?

Ingredients

Instructions

Optional Flavor Twists

Why You’ll Love These

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