Date Nut Balls
These date nut balls are the holiday treats people never knew they needed! They have the best chewy texture and are filled with the best combination of brown sugar, dates, pecans, and rice krispies. The powdered sugar coating makes them the perfect little sweet bites! Perfect for gifting!
Every Christmas people make the same treats over and over. If you want a holiday treat that is different and will stand out look no further. This will really impress whoever you gift these too or whatever gathering you take them to. They have the best chewy texture and the powdered sugar melts in your mouth!
Dates have made a come back recently and are more of a staple in peoples pantries. They have such a good sweetness and texture to them. I grew up eating these but was never told what was in them. I probably would have been the kid who wouldn’t try them if I knew they had dates in them. I love that they are so covered in powdered sugar that anyone who goes to taste them won’t have a clue what they are about to enjoy.
I hope you will add these to your holiday treat bags, holiday party spreads, or take them to a sweet swap for something you know no one else will bring. Just be sure you take the recipe because everyone will want to make these too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Delicious- This recipe has the best combination of textures and flavors! There is sweetness from the dates, brown sugar, and powdered sugar. The Rice Krispies, pecans, and dates make the best texture trio. These are perfectly chewy and sweet!
Easy to Double- Sometimes when you are making holiday treats quantity matters. They are easy to double or even triple when making them. Just use a dutch oven for more space.
Messy- Maybe this one seems odd as to why you would love this recipe. But… in my experience anything dropping powdered sugar on you just means its extra tasty!
Ingredients
Dates– You can technically use whole dates and chop them. I prefer buying a bag of chopped dates. They seem to already have a sugary coating on them and work great in this recipe.
The rest of the ingredients and their measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Make Date Nut Balls
Step 1: In a medium saucepan melt a stick of butter. Add in the dates and brown sugar.
Step 2: Heat mixture for 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Turn off heat and let cool a few minutes.
Step 3: Mix in the vanilla and pecans.
Step 4: Stir in the Rice Krispies. Make sure they are all coated.
Step 5: Add powdered sugar to a gallon sized ziplock. Using a one tbsp cookie scoop, scoop the mixture and press firmly to be sure it comes out in one piece. Place into bag of powdered sugar.
Step 6: Gently shake in the powdered sugar. ENJOY!
Tips
- I would recommend a non stick sauce pan to make the mixture in. It is a sticky consistency that will do better in a non stick pan.
- Use the prepackaged chopped dates instead of whole dates that you chop yourself. They yield a better texture and taste.
- Once the initial mixture has heated for 6 minutes only let the mixture cool for about 2 minutes. You don’t want to wait too long or it will be more difficult to stir in the nuts and Rice Krispies.
- When scooping the mixture use cooking spray in the cookie scoop or on your hands to help keep it from sticking.
Date Nut Balls
These date nut balls are the holiday treats people never knew they needed! They have the best chewy texture and are filled with the best combination of brown sugar, dates, pecans, and rice krispies. The powdered sugar coating makes them the perfect little sweet bites! Perfect for gifting!
Ingredients
- 1 small pkg chopped dates
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 stick butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 3 cups rice krispies
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a medium sized saucepan melt one stick of butter.
- Add in the dates, brown sugar, and salt. Heat for six minutes stirring frequently. Then turn off the heat and let cool for a few minutes.
- Stir in the vanilla and pecans. Next fully combine the rice krispies, make sure they are all fully coated.
- Pour powdered sugar into a gallon ziplock bag.
- Using a 1 tbsp cookie scoop, scoop the mixture and drop into the powdered sugar. Be sure you press it into the scoop firmly or roll it around in your hands before dropping into the powdered sugar.
- Gently shake the date nut balls into the powdered sugar a few at a time and remove.
Notes
- You don't want the mixture to fully cool down before adding the nuts and rice krispies. The heated mixture will mix easier than if it cools down too much.
- If you prefer perfectly rounded balls use cooking spray on your hands to help the mixture not stick.
