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Strawberry Tootsie Chews

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Strawberry Tootsie Chews displayed in a small jar with a red lid

~ raw, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free ~

These Strawberry Tootsie Chews are an explosion of tasty, tangy, sweet, Summer strawberry flavor. They have a soft taffy-like texture and will keep well at room temperature.

To create this wonderful strawberry flavor and texture, I use organic strawberry powder.  I spent a lot of time designing this recipe, balancing flavor and texture.  I haven’t tested using fresh strawberries and if you do give it a try,  please keep me posted on how it goes.  The flavor won’t be as intense and it will add more liquid to the overall batter.

As I said already, I worked hard to create these special candies for my grandfather who LOVES candy but can’t eat anything hard or crunchy.

A helpful tip when creating these candies is to use “dry” date paste.  I know that sounds a bit confusing so let me explain.  When creating the date paste, use the least amount of water needed when getting it to that creamy smooth texture.  I provided a link below on how I make my date paste, please review it.

I mentioned above that we want the date paste creamy smooth.  There is a reason… if the date paste has bits of chunks in it, the batter will clog up the piping tip when making the candy.

For the almond flour, I used fine almond flour, not ground almonds.  You can achieve raw fine almond flour by soaking, removing the skins, and dehydrating almonds.  Dehydrate them and grind them to a finer flour texture.  If you just use ground almonds the candies can turn out grainy. Another way to achieve fine almond flour is too dry the almond pulp after making almond milk.  Grind this to a fine powder once dried. If you are not able to do this and 100% raw isn’t your top priority, you can purchase almond flour.

For gift packaging ideas, I used Ball Regular Mouth Half Pint Jars and colored lids. You can check your local department stores for fun shaped jars.  If you plan on using sticker labels on the jars, make sure that one side of the jar is smooth so the label will stick smoothly.

a hand reaching in to grab a Strawberry Tootsie chewIngredients:

Yields 48 (2” candies)

Preparation:

Create the candy batter:

  1. Remove the pits from the dates as you put them in the measuring cup.
    • Be sure to inspect each date as you tear it in half to remove the pit.  Mold and insect eggs can infect dried dates.  I don’t mean to gross you out,  you just need to be made aware of this.
  2. Place the date paste, almond flour, strawberry powder, beet juice, and salt in the food processor fitted with the “S” blade.  Process until it turns into a creamy paste.

Fill the piping bag:

  1. It is best to use either a canvas or a silicone piping bag.  I used the piping tip Ateco #808.
  2. While holding the bag with one hand, fold down the top with the other hand to form a cuff over your hand.
  3. Fill the bag 1/2 full.  If you overfill the bag, the excess batter may squeeze out the wrong end not to mention that you will have less control of the bag when piping.
  4. Close the bag by unfolding the cuff and twisting the bag closed. This forces the batter down into the bag.
  5. “Burping” the bag: Make sure you release any air trapped in the bag by squeezing some of the batter out of the tip into the bowl. This is called “burping” the bag.
    • If you don’t remove the air bubbles they will come out while you are piping your straight line and cause blurps and breaks.  Best to create a seamless line.

Piping:

  1. Hold the piping bag tip about 1/4″ above the non-stick sheet, at about a 22-degree angle (half of a 45 ), and slowly pipe the batter from one edge of the dehydrator tray to the other.
  2. Keep constant pressure on the piping bag as you squeeze out the paste.  This will ensure an even thickness of the line.
  3. After each completed line, stop and retwist the piping bag, working all paste towards the tip.  This will eliminate air bubbles in the bag and give you a solid grip.
  4. Remember: It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just have fun and if you make a mistake, scoop it up, place back in the bag and do it again.

Dehydrate & store:

  1. Place the tray in the dehydrator and dry at 145 degrees (F) for 1 hour, then reduce to 115 degrees (F) for 16-24 hours.
  2. Once cooled, cut into 2” lengths and wrap in squares of wax paper.
  3. I keep mine stored in the fridge for freshness but they can be left out at room temp.
  4. These candy chews won’t be hard or crunchy.

a beautiful display of Strawberry Tootsie Chews on a wooden table

Culinary Explanations:

  • Why do I start the dehydrator at 145 degrees (F).  Click (here) to learn the reason behind this.
  • When working with fresh ingredients it is important to taste test as you build a recipe.  Learn why (here).
  • Don’t own a dehydrator? Learn how to use your oven (here). I do however truly believe that it is a worthwhile investment. Click (here) to learn what I use.

Substitutions:

One of the greatest joys when creating raw food recipes is experimenting with different ingredients… a practice that I highly encourage.  Daily I get questions regarding substitutions.  Of course, we all might have different dietary needs and tastes which could necessitate altering a recipe.    I love to share with you what I create for myself, my husband, friends, and family.  I spend a lot of time selecting the right ingredients with a particular goal in mind, looking to build a certain flavor and texture.

So as you experiment with substitutions, remember they are what they sound like, they are substitutes for the preferred item.  Generally, they are not going to behave, taste, or have the same texture as the suggested ingredient.   Some may work, and others may not and I can’t promise what the results will be unless I’ve tried them myself.   So have fun, don’t be afraid,  and remember, substituting is how I discovered many of my unique dishes.
Strawberry Tootsie Chews on table with one open to enjoy
Strawberry Tootsie Chews packaged and labeled for gift giving
a hand sneaking a Strawberry Tootsie Chews from the jar
I found these small bags at a Walgreens (of all places) during
my travels.   Check your local Walgreens or craft store.
 a Strawberry Tootsie Chews packaged in a red bag

25 thoughts on “Strawberry Tootsie Chews

  1. dana says:

    i don’t know which is more amazing; your recipes; your presentation; your photos; your generosity with sharing; your fabulous information;or the finished product!! i vote you “queen-of-every thing”!! huge thanks and many blessings!

    • amie-sue says:

      Oh my goodness…. thank you so much Dana for the wonderful compliment. So happy that you enjoyed the posting. :) I read your comment to my husband and now he teases me about being Queen. lol oy! Have a blessed and joyous day, amie sue

  2. Andrea says:

    All I can say is – you are a G-E-N-I-U-S !!!!! Many thanks for this brilliant recipe! :)

    • amie-sue says:

      Ya got me blushing Andrea. hehe You are welcome and I hope you find the time to try the recipe. It’s a keeper in my book! Many blessings and stay warm. amie sue

  3. Lily says:

    My daughter attends a nut free school, can I alternate the nut flour?

    • amie-sue says:

      I haven’t tested other flours Lily but you can experiment with which ever flours you tend to use in the kitchen. amie sue

  4. Claudia says:

    Dear Amie-Sue, my Husband and I are from Germany, and we love your recipes! The tastes are magnificent,
    the textures are heavenly, and the appearance itself is mouth-watering and mind-blowing. When we put your creations in the fridge at work, our colleagues keep saying: „oh my goodness – you should sell these beautiful sweets“.
    Yeah, they wish we would ;-) But this soul-food is our treasure, it keeps us bright-eyed and bushy-tailed :-)

    A year ago, on a raw-chocolate workshop, we got to know natural liquid flavours from Medicine Flower. Since we love
    strawberry taste, it is a good and easy way to enhance food-creations with a rich and intense strawberry flavor. So, when we create your receipe – we will definitely use it in addition to the strawberry powder (3-5 drops will do – it is also great in chocolate, ice-cream, cake-cremes, frostings, or nut-milk-shakes).

    Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic recipes, you are a leading-edge creator of finest raw soul-food. Many blessings from Germany, Claudia and Daniel.

    • amie-sue says:

      Good afternoon Claudia,

      What a treat to hear from you. I loved that you shared this with me. It really blessed me. I giggled when you said, “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed”. I use they saying often and people always give me a funny look. hehe

      I have heard of Medicine Flower… thank you for brining it back to my attention. If you try this recipe with it, would you please let me know how it goes? I need to look into these flavors once again.

      Thank you again for writing to me. It means a lot. Have a blessed and glorious day. amie sue

      • amie-sue says:

        Ooooh I have a few of these. I just dug through my pantry. I have the peanut and apple one. That is what happens when a person is a crazy culinary chemist in her own kitchen… to many ingredients and gadgets to play with. haha

  5. Lenka says:

    Hi Amy, this new candy looks delicious! I love strawberries!
    Do you have on-line store, where would be possible to purchase some of your candy or crackers??? I’m lazy to do it myself…. :) Thank you and have a nice day!!

    • amie-sue says:

      Hello Lenka… no I am not manufacturing these or crackers. :) My labeling is for gift giving. :) Have a wonderful holiday season! amie sue

  6. Lyn says:

    Hi Amie Sue, I LOVE (or should I say LOVED ) Tootise Rolls, the old bad kind), whoppie- I can’t wait to try these – yum !!! I bet your Grandma never had such a fine Thanksgiving/ Christmas – what gifts of love you gave her. She will remember it always. Thank you for sharing unselfishly with us all again!! :] Lyn

    • amie-sue says:

      Good morning Lyn,

      If that is the case… I have the perfect recipe for you in which I try to share with you tomorrow morning. ;) I hope she likes the candies… she’s a tough one to sell too with “healthier” foods. She’s my grandmother who likes to sit down with a box of chocolate cherries and eat them all in one sitting. Anyway, have a wonderful day my friend. hugs, amie sue

  7. cathy says:

    Hi Amie Sue, I thought I’d ask a question in case others would like to know. You always amaze me with your recipes and your gift ideas. Just fantastic !!!! Amie Sue where can I get those candy wraps? I live in a small town. I have a Joanne’s and Michaels.
    Thank You
    Cathy

    • amie-sue says:

      Hello Cathy,

      The candies are wrapped in wax paper. “Once cooled, cut into 2” lengths and wrap in squares of wax paper.” Is that what you are referring too?

  8. cathy says:

    lol, what about Blueberry Powder???

  9. cathy says:

    Hi Amie sue, Yes it is. You are one smart cookie LOL, Take care. I’ll let you know how they come out. I’m having Family over for Christmas.
    thank You!!
    Cathy:)

    • amie-sue says:

      Or at least one smart tootsie chew? hehe Please do keep me posted. I am sure you will host a beautiful setting for everyone. Most importantly… breathe, relax, and don’t let the tiny details over-ride the opportunity to enjoy yourself. Prepare the food and decorate with love in your heart and it will go wonderfully! Blessings, amie sue

  10. itsme says:

    Hi! Please tell us how to make dry strawberries powder in an oven or a dehydrator. Thanks!

    • amie-sue says:

      I like you suggestion that you talked about in your last comment. I would just put the berries in the food processor and process them to break them up nice and small… no need to take it to liquid. Then pour it out on a nonstick dehydrator sheet and dry at 1115 degrees (F) until dry. Then powder it in a small grinder that you have. Hope that helps. Blessings :) amie sue

      • itsme says:

        That might make puree :)
        I suppose a high speed blender should pulveris e easily. I have a small grinder that smells like spices :)

  11. itsme says:

    I would like to dehydrate frozen berries but I don’t know how, and if I should use the juice. I wish I could..Maybe blend them and dehydrate them and after that pulverise them?
    Thanks.

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