Pit the dates by using a sharp knife to cut lengthwise. Pull open and flatten (kind of looks like a butterfly), removing pits and laying them out, sticky side up.

Stick three pecans per date, arranging them like the head and feet of a turtle.

Chop your dark chocolate into as small bits as possible, and melt in a heat-safe bowl on top of a pot over medium heat (or a double boiler if you have one), stirring constantly until mostly melted.

Remove from heat and stir in the last few chunks of chocolate (this is my method of lazy tempering)

Drizzle about 1 tsp of chocolate per cluster, to seal the inside of the dates (so they don't dry out) and securing the pecans. Let them set in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes, and enjoy!

Keep stored in fridge in an airtight container.