A trip to Morocco sparked a sweet idea for a Long Island mother and daughter.

Sara Biordi and her mom, Gerry, fell in love with Medjool dates during a visit to Marrakesh. After bringing some home, they started experimenting in the kitchen eventually creating Coco Elephant, a Nassau-based business featuring stuffed, chocolate-covered Medjool dates. They make their treats in a commercial kitchen in Plainview.

The dates come in flavors including caramel, peanut butter, coconut and cookie butter, all coated in Belgian chocolate. Sara says the goal was to create a “better for you candy bar.”

Coco Elephant launched earlier this year, first selling to friends and family before expanding to farmers markets across Long Island and shipping nationwide.

Now, the mother-daughter team is developing new flavors and hopes to eventually get the products into retail stores. Gerry, who has more than 15 years of experience teaching Italian cooking, says watching her daughter take the lead has made her especially proud. “She’s doing great. I am really proud, I am very happy for her, and I think this is going to be a huge success,” Gerry said.

Coco Elephant is also offering 12% off a first order with the code NEWS12, valid through December 31, 2026.