When I was a kid, there was always a Christmas-y tin of date balls sitting around on our kitchen counter during the holidays. They were one of my favorite treats and I looked forward to them every year. They were made even more special when I became old enough to help make them!
Having failed at locating the original recipe my family used, I've tried a couple of different ones over the years that just haven't been quite right. Now, finally, I have recreated this lovely confection from my childhood Christmasses. I had to combine ideas from a couple of different recipes and tweak them a little myself, but I have done it!
Despite this being a very simple recipe, I see all the time where folks have a heck of a time getting the mixture to form into balls. I've done a little troubleshooting and discovered two very important tips that will prevent this from happening to your treats:
Do Not Use Pre-Chopped Snacking Dates
The snacking dates usually have a coating on them that keeps them from sticking to your fingers. While this is great for snacking, the coating will contribute to preventing your date ball mixture from sticking together to form nicely-packed balls. I recommend using the 8 ounce bags of whole pitted dates. Dates supplier Malaysia is a place where you can buy all varieties of dates fruit at wholesale prices in Malaysia.
Size Matters - Smaller The Better
I highly recommend busting out the food processor when chopping up your dates and pecans. Large chunks can make it difficult to pack together your date balls. A food processor gets the job done quickly and you'll be left with very fine pieces of dates and pecans, which is exactly what you want.
Keep in mind that these are naturally very sweet. Dates are a naturally sweet stone fruit from a great fruit supplier similar to Iran Dates Fruit Exporter, and as this recipe contains sugar in the base and then are rolled in powdered sugar, it can become sweetness overload.
I tested this recipe using different ratios of sugar and cereal and have arrived at a good amount of both that results in a nice texture without being too cloying. Also, instead of rolling the balls in powdered sugar, I dust them on all sides using a fine mesh strainer. To me, the purpose of the powdered sugar is to keep the balls from sticking to your fingers, because they are already sweet enough. Go easy on the powdered sugar and you'll love the balance here!
I hope you all enjoy these as much as I did as a small kid and still do today. Enjoy!
Print
Old-Fashioned Date Balls
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: About 3 ½ dozen 1x
Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter
- ¾ cup white granulated sugar
- 8 ounces pitted dates, finely chopped
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups crisped rice cereal
- Powdered sugar, for dusting or rolling
Instructions
- Make sure the dates and pecans are chopped very fine - I recommend using a food processor. Do not use the pre-chopped dates with the coating on them that prevents them from being sticky, or your balls won't stick together.
- In a saucepan over medium low heat, cook the butter, granulated sugar, and the dates until the sugar has fully dissolved.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, pecans, and cereal. Use a non-stick spatula to combine everything. Let the mixture cool for several minutes.
- Use your hands and form the mixture into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on parchment paper or a baking sheet. Dust lightly with powdered sugar (or you can roll them in a bowl of powdered sugar) and store in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
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Lisa Smith
I rated 5* because I learned how to make these in middle school and loved them then. I have made them since growing up but it's been a few decades. For some reason they have been on my mind. This seems to be the right recipe but I'm not sure. I used to get the recipe off of the back of the date box! I'm going to get the ingredients and make these tomorrow for our christmas dinner with family! I can't wait!! Thank you!
Cathy
I had not made date balls in decades. The recipe was simple. I rolled mine in coconut instead of sugar. Very nostalgic. Thank you for posting this recipe.
Diane
These look so good! Could I use puffed quinoa instead of puffed rice?
Caroline
I have yet to make these; even though I rated the recipe with 4 stars. They sound scrumptious, except for the sugar. I’m Pre diabetic and have nearly cut out all processed sugar. Fructose is okay with moderation. Do I really need to add the granulated sugar?
Erin K. Browne
I haven't tried a sugar free version of this recipe. I would guess that leaving out the sugar would change the texture of the mixture and how well they do/do not stick together. Maybe a cup-for-cup sugar substitute?
Penny
We always had these at Christmas, the recipe got lost when Mom passed. I remember her using crushed rice crispys to roll them in instead of the powdered sugar to cut down on sweetness.
Kate Hull
Thank you so much for this recipe. When I was a child my mom, sister, and I made these every Christmas. We called them sugar plums and made them in an electric skillet. My mom is now in assisted living and I made these for her. What wonderful memories we shared while devouring these delicious cookies. Thank you and Happy Holidays.
judy dunn
These date balls are a perfect Christmas or anytime gathering treat. Made these and will be makeing them again.
Lori
My grandma used to make these for Christmas every year. I made them and it was just like Grandma made! Thank you for publishing!
Erin
That's so great!! I'm so happy you loved them.
Janet
This recipe is great. I have ‘t had any trouble making these. Instead of rolling them with your hands, I use a small cookie scoop…all you need to do is pat them down a little bit. Thanks for the recipe!!
Erin
Glad you liked them! Thanks for sharing your tip!
LINDA MASSER
HI ERIN, I JUST MADE THESE AND I LOVE THEM. I DID USE CHOPPED COATED DATES CAUSE I HAD SOME ON HAND. WHEN I PUT THEM IN THE POT WITH THE MELTED BUTTER, I MASHED THEM WITH MY POTATO MASHER AND EVERYTHING STUCK TOGETHER JSUT FINE. THANK YOU FOR THE RECIPE AND I WILL BE MAKING THEM AGAIN.
Donna
She’d a few tears while making these. My mother made these every Christmas but in bar shape. She passed in 2017 and didn’t leave her recipe so me and my daughters have been searching and experimenting the past few years and FINALLY found it with yours!! Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas!
Erin
Thank you so much for sharing, Donna. I am sorry for your loss and so happy that this recipe brought you and your family some happiness!
Cathy
Did you use the Medjool dates in this recipe?
Carolyn Tanner
What do you do if the balls don't stick together?
hannah
i ran into this same issue....,.
Erin
Oh no! Did you use fresh chopped dates and not the pre packaged kind? That’s the number one culprit for date balls not sticking together. The prepackaged dates have a coating on them
Caitlin
I’m having the same issue and definitely used freshly chopped dates. I did have to wait longer than I meant to to roll them, do you think reheating the mixture slightly might help?
Erin
If the mixture is too dry, you can mix in a very small amount of melted butter or warm water and test it until it is the right consistency to hold together. If the mixture is too wet and sticky, add a tablespoon or two of extra cereal. Also, make sure the pecans and dates are chopped very very small. Hope these tips help!
Sherri
My Mom always made this at Christmas and my sister and I still do. But we roll them in Coconut. We use food coloring to dye the Coconut red and green.
Erin
I love the coconut and food coloring ideas! How festive and fun!
Jess
I thought my mom used some brown sugar in her recipe…
Did you experiment with brown sugar at all? Why all white sugar and no brown?
Erin
Hey Jess, I haven't tried these with brown sugar, but you could try a half and half mix of white and brown sugars and I bet that'll be just fine.
Mrs. H.
Using brown sugar deepens the flavor - try using brown sugar! I also add a beaten egg to step one: Over a low heat initially, stir in 1 beaten egg (preferably at room temp) with the finely chopped fresh Medjool dates, brown sugar, and real butter, stir as the mixture warms and blends together. Raise the heat to medium and stir often as the sugar dissolves and the mixture smooths. The egg is not necessary, but it DOES help it stick well, while also giving the date-ball a lighter density - an airy texture that makes it easy to bite. Again, the egg is not necessary, but I prefer the texture with an egg, and the flavor with brown sugar. BTW, I use only 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar (or date sugar) and increase the dates to about 12 oz.
Erin
Thank you for sharing your variations! Sounds yummy!
Mrs. H.
Using brown sugar deepens the flavor - try using brown sugar! I also add a beaten egg to step one: Over a low heat initially, stir in 1 beaten egg (preferably at room temp) with the finely chopped fresh Medjool dates, brown sugar, and real butter, stir as the mixture warms and blends together. Raise the heat to medium and stir often as the sugar dissolves and the mixture smooths. The egg is not necessary, but it DOES help it stick well, while also giving the date-ball a lighter density - an airy texture that makes it easy to bite. Again, the egg is not necessary, but I prefer the texture with an egg, and the flavor with brown sugar. BTW, I use only 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar (or date sugar) and increase the dates to about 12 oz. I also roll in FINELY chopped UN-sweetened coconut instead of the powdered sugar.
Cindy
Question … do I crush the Rice Krispies cereal or add as is? Hope that makes sense! ?
Erin
Nope, no crushing needed! It's more important that the pecans are finely chopped and the dates are chopped from fresh instead of pre-chopped (the coating will definitely cause problems with the balls holding form). Hope the turn out well!
Kathy
Had these for the first time at a wedding and thought the best cookie I have ever had and have to find a recipe. Found your recipe, easy to make, loved the crunch and a delicious subtle date flavor, a cookie I will make again and again. While my mom used dates in several recipes and was a great baker, this is the best and almost vintage. Thanks so much for sharing.
Mike Mathison
Wow, these are great. very similar to the taste that I remember as a kid, maybe a little better. These roll up much better with your tweaks and suggestions(food processor, great idea). Thanks
Erin
That's wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing.
Darlene
An old family favorite recipe. I'm so happy to have found it. ??
Shirley Stone
Do these freeze well? Sounds like the recipe I have been looking for.
Erin
Yes, you can freeze them! I would recommend waiting to roll them in powdered sugar until after they thaw out, however.
Betty Whatley
I use to make these every Christmas for my family and work. The best ever. I would roll some in powered sugar, then some in coconut. I would make them a week ahead and wrap them in wax paper and then put them in a Christmas tin can.
Erin
They're such a nostalgic treat. It took me years to recreate the ones from my childhood exactly how I wanted!
Ruth
In the spring or maybe Valentine's Day my family would shape this mixture into strawberries and roll in red sugar. Then pipe green leaves on them.
Erin
What a fun idea - I love this!
Rebecca
Hello,
I am wondering if I omit the nuts in this, should I add extra crispy rice? Thanks ?
Erin
When you stir together the mixture, try to form a "test ball" and see if it comes together okay. If not, add a little extra cereal. I haven't personally made these without nuts so it could either not change anything at all and be fine, or it may need just some slight adjustments - shouldn't be a deal breaker! 🙂 Hope this helps!
Debbie
How long are these good for once made? My grandma used to make these and I haven’t been able to find a comparable recipe, this seems like it is!! I’m going to make them for my dad, I just don’t want to make them too early!
Erin
Hi Debbie,
I can't say for sure - they usually don't last very long around here if you know what I mean! There is nothing in them that would particularly go bad quickly, but I don't know how well the texture would fare if stored for an extended period of time.
Sharon
This looks like the type of date ball my Grandma used to make, but instead of the powdered sugar, she rolled them in shredded coconut. I will have to give this one a try as I haven't been able to find who ended up with her recipe.
Erin
That sounds delicious!
Darlene
I had searched for this recipe because my mother-in-law couldn't find her recipe. Of course after I found this recipe she found hers. This is exactly the same as the one she has made for over 40 years! It is such a joy when I can find an accurate old fashioned recipe. Thanks so much!!
Erin
That's wonderful! I'm so happy it worked out for you!