Description
These No-Bake Coconut Krispie Date Balls are made with dates and Rice Krispies and rolled in coconut. This classic Christmas cookie is a requirement in my house!
Ingredients
- 11 ounces (311g) Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups (285g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 1 tablespoons (15ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups (160g) Rice Krispie cereal (or similar cereal)
- 1 bag (7 ounces/ 198g) sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Remove pits and chop dates into small pieces, about the size of a dime.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter and sugar together, stirring occasionally until the butter is melted.
- Turn the heat to low and add chopped dates and cook until the mixture is boiling, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the mixture from burning.
- In a separate bowl, combine eggs, milk and vanilla extract. Once the mixture is boiling, take about ¼ cup of the mixture and pour it into the eggs, and whisk constantly to temper the eggs.
- Remove the saucepan from the stovetop and pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan. You will want to work quickly so they do not become scrambled.
- Return the mixture to the stovetop and boil for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove the mixture from the heat. In a large mixing bowl, combine rice cereal with date mixture and stir until evenly coated. Allow the mixture to cool until it can be handled.
- Shape the date mixture into balls (1 to 2 tablespoons in size) and place on a sheet pan. For a higher yield, reduce the size of the balls.
- Place the shredded coconut in a separate bowl and roll each date ball (one at a time) in the shredded coconut, gently pressing the coconut into the dates. Refrigerate the date balls for one hour.
Notes
- Pre-chopped dates: Some readers have reported issues with pre-chopped dates not holding together well. This recipe is designed for use with fresh, whole dates. Although I haven’t tested it with pre-chopped dates like those from Dole or Sun-Maid, I suspect they contain coatings or preservatives to prevent stickiness, which may alter their properties when melted
- Use gloves: Dates are very sticky, if you have food-safe plastic gloves, I would suggest using them. It saves your hands from being very sticky!
Storing
-
- Refrigerate. Keep them airtight in the fridge for up to 1 week,
-
- Freeze. Once set in the refrigerator, transfer them to an airtight container. To prevent them from sticking together, place a layer of parchment or wax paper between them.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 137
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 49mg
- Fat: 6.5g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg