Add the soaked and drained cashews, unsweetened shredded coconut, orange juice, and vanilla extract into a blender (such as a Vitamix ).
Blend completely until thick, creamy, and slightly chunky (I used my tamper for this process). This should not take too long. Stop once you feel like all of the cashews are completely blended in. Do not blend too long otherwise you will start to make cashew butter.
Depending on the sweetness of the orange juice and your preference, you may or may-not need a little maple syrup blended into the cream for some added sweetness. Note that this cream should not be overly sweet since it's being stuffed into dates (see notes below). Set the orange cream aside.
To Prepare the Dates:
You have one of two options: (1) Cut a thin section across the wide end of the date to cut the end. Using clean sharp tweezers, going in from the cut end, pull out the pit to create a port to stuff. OR (2) Using a knife, make an incision across the length of the date and carefully remove the pit, creating a 'boat' to stuff. (see notes below)
To Stuff the Dates:
If using option (1) above, using a condiment dispenser , piping bag , or syringe, completely fill the hole created inside the date with the prepared orange cream. If using option (2) above, use a small spoon or knife to stuff the dates where you made the incision. With this option, you will stuff more of the orange cream and it will be visible on top. (see pictures above)
Once you've stuffed the dates with orange cream, melt the dark chocolate chips over a double broiler or in small increments in the microwave.
Line a baking sheet or plate with wax paper. If using option (1) above, simply dip the dates half way up covering the open side of the date. If using option (2) above, simply drizzle the melted chocolate across the dates on top of the stuffed orange cream.
Place on the prepared plate/baking sheet, sprinkle the top of the dates with a tiny amount of orange zest, unsweetened shredded coconut, and/or sea salt, and place in the fridge until the chocolate is completely solidified.
Store in the fridge in an airtight container until ready to enjoy!
Notes
Maple Syrup - If your orange juice is sweet, you will not need to add any maple syrup in the cream. When I developed this recipe, I made freshly squeezed orange juice from home-grown sweet navel oranges and did not need to use any maple syrup.Both methods of stuffing the dates taste and look great. I personally prefer Option 2 for stuffing the dates mainly because I love the flavor and texture of the orange cream and you can stuff more into each date with Option 2.With this recipe, you may be left with some additional orange cream. You can either make more stuffed dates, or simply drizzle some dark chocolate on top or the orange cream and enjoy the bowl with a spoon!