Chocolate Bourbon-Caramel Truffles

chocolate bourbon caramel truffles
from http://spabettie.com/2012/11/26/chocolate-bourbon-caramel-truffles/
 inspired by Bourbon-Caramel Truffles
 dairy, soy, and gluten free, vegan
 makes 17-20 truffles

6 large Medjool dates, pitted
3 tablespoons bourbon
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon vanilla paste
5 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

In saucepan over medium heat, combine pitted Medjool dates with bourbon. As the dates warm, continually stir with bourbon and mash into a paste, adding water by the tablespoon as needed until a smooth paste forms. Reduce heat to low, add vanilla and chopped chocolate and stir until chocolate melts to a smooth consistency.

Let chocolate date mixture cool, transfer to covered container and refrigerate several hours to overnight.

Once cool, spoon small amounts and roll into balls, just under one inch in size. Roll through cocoa powder, return to refrigerator to cool.