Creating this delicious spread is incredibly straightforward. The process mainly involves soaking the dates and then blending all the ingredients until you reach silky-smooth perfection. A food processor or a high-speed blender will yield the best results.

1. Soak the Dates for Softness: Place the pitted Medjool dates in a bowl. Pour hot (not boiling) water over them until they are fully submerged. Let them soak for at least 15-20 minutes. This step is crucial as it softens the dates significantly, making them much easier to blend into a completely smooth paste and preventing any chunky bits in your final spread. If you have more time, you can soak them in room temperature water for a couple of hours.
2. Drain and Reserve the Water: Once the dates are soft and plump, drain them thoroughly. Do not discard the soaking water just yet! It has a light, sweet flavor and can be useful in the next step if you need to thin out your spread.
3. Combine Ingredients in the Blender: Place the soaked and drained dates into the container of your high-speed blender or food processor. Add the unsweetened cocoa powder, your choice of nut or seed butter, 1/2 cup of plant-based milk, the pure vanilla extract, and the sea salt.
4. Blend Until Silky Smooth: Secure the lid and begin blending on a low speed, gradually increasing to high. Let it blend for 1-3 minutes, or until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. You will likely need to stop the blender once or twice to scrape down the sides with a spatula. This ensures that all the ingredients, especially any stubborn date pieces, are fully incorporated.
5. Adjust Consistency: Check the texture of the spread. If it seems too thick for your liking, add more plant-based milk, one tablespoon at a time, blending well after each addition until you reach your desired spreadable consistency. You can also use a tablespoon of the reserved date-soaking water for a touch of extra sweetness.
6. Taste and Final Adjustments: Give the spread a final taste. While the dates usually provide ample sweetness, you can add a tiny bit more salt to enhance the chocolate flavor or even a teaspoon of maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter, though it’s rarely necessary.
7. Transfer and Store: Scrape the finished choco-date spread from the blender into a clean, airtight container or glass jar. It can be served immediately while it’s slightly warm and loose, or chilled in the refrigerator. The spread will thicken considerably as it cools.