Last Updated on September 10, 2024 by PorchLightReading
The best date nut balls recipe with rice cereal and shaved coconut. Crowd pleasing dessert idea that everyone will love.
Simple, quick, and delicious. That’s just how we like to make a dessert for a crowd and these date nut balls made with shaved coconut and rice Krispy cereal, are exactly that.
A sweet treat that is ready in no time at all. And to make it even easier, this is a no bake dessert. Just a few stovetop ingredients and a bit of time to let them cool off before rolling them into a small, bite sized, dessert.
- Table of Contents: Date Nut Balls
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DATE NUT BALLS
Of course I want to tell you about my Great Aunt Lilly, but someone in the crowd is going to shout “Let’s get to the recipe already!” I hear you! I really do. BUT you are missing out because my Great Aunt Lilly has a few amazing recipes up her sleeve. Like these, as she calls them, date nut dandies, and a few other family favorites such as her homemade chocolate covered cherries.
No one can resist these bite-sized rice Krispy date nut balls and they are perfect for the next family holiday or gathering.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 stick butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup chopped dates (pitted)
- 2 ½ cup crispy rice cereal
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
- grated (shaved or flaked) coconut
HOW TO MAKE
- In a saucepan combine ½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, and 1 cup pitted, chopped, dates. Bring to a rapid boil for 4 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in crispy rice cereal and chopped walnuts.
- Allow to cool lightly and form into bite-size balls.
- Roll in shredded coconut and place on waxed paper.
- Chill in refrigerator at least one hour or until fully cool and set. Leaving you with a soft, chewy, crispy, dessert treat.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE PERFECT DATE NUT BALLS
Coconut date nut balls are pretty easy for the most part, however, there are a few tricks. Since this dessert can be a bit sticky, you might find it easier to use gloves while forming them into bite-sized balls. Another tip would be to be precise with the measurements. Adding a bit too much crispy rice cereal will result in balls that are too dry to stick together. Too much butter or sugar and you might find the balls too sticky to work with. Be sure to roll the balls in shaved coconut while they are still warm so that the coconut sticks well to them.
- These date nut balls can be a bit sticky. Using gloves may help form the balls easier.
- Using whole, pitted, dates, helps the balls stick together better.
- NOTE- Using store bought chopped dates have an extra coating to prevent the dates from sticking together in the bag. This may hinder how well your date nut balls stick together. It is recommended to instead use whole dates, keeping in mind to remove the pit.
- Be precise with measurements.
- Roll date nut balls in coconut while they are still warm.
I’m having a hard time forming them into balls- Although this is an easy recipe, adding too much rice cereal will throw off how sticky they need to be to set as a chewy ball. If that happens, don’t worry! Place parchment paper in a casserole dish or jelly roll pan and make them into date nut squares instead.
Allow them to fully set in the refrigerator, lift out using the parchment paper, and cut into chewy, date nut squares. -A happy accident made by my 11 year old daughter on her first attempt alone making this treat. (She was a little heavy handed on the crispy rice cereal.)
STORAGE AND LEFTOVERS
This recipe makes about 40 bite-sized date nut balls. The best way to store them is in the refrigerator in an air tight container with a piece of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
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RECIPE CARD
Date Nut Balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (one stick)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 2 ½ cups rice crispy cereal
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
- 1 cup grated coconut
Instructions
- In a saucepan combine ½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, and 1 cup pitted, chopped, dates.
- Bring to a rapid boil for 4 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in crispy rice cereal and chopped walnuts.
- Allow to cool lightly and form into bite size balls.
- Roll in shredded coconut and place on waxed paper.
- Chill in refrigerator at least one hour or until fully cool and set. Leaving you with a soft, chewy, crispy, dessert treat.
Notes
Nutrition
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This is the most delicious dessert ever! It’s easy to make, requires no baking, and trust me, you won’t be able to stop at just one!
Great for Christmas treats and gifts!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and you are absolutely right, it’s a great Christmas treat. :-)