Grandma’s Golden Old-Fashioned Date Balls Recipe / Sweet Nostalgia

These delectable old-fashioned date balls capture the essence of nostalgic homemade treats that spark memories of grandma’s kitchen.

Sweet and sticky dates form the magical core of this classic confection, blending rich natural sugars with delightful textures.

Nutty undertones and subtle spices dance together, creating a harmonious blend that tantalizes taste buds.

Crafting these bite-sized delights requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum comfort and satisfaction.

Rolled carefully with precision, each spherical morsel promises a burst of concentrated flavor that melts wonderfully in your mouth.

Simple yet sophisticated, these date balls represent a timeless dessert that bridges generations of home baking traditions.

Perfect for afternoon tea, unexpected guests, or midnight cravings, they offer a quick indulgence without complex preparation.

Date Balls the Old-Fashioned Way

• Savor Homemade Nostalgia: These date balls capture the heartwarming essence of traditional family recipes, bringing back memories of grandma's kitchen with every delightful bite.
• Enjoy Effortless Preparation: The simple, no-bake method makes these treats incredibly easy to create, perfect for both novice and experienced home cooks who want a quick and delicious dessert.
• Experience Texture Perfection: Combining crunchy pecans, soft dates, and crispy cereal creates an irresistible blend of textures that dance deliciously on your palate, making each bite a delightful sensory experience.
• Customize with Ease: The recipe offers flexible options like different sugar coatings and potential mix-in variations, allowing you to personalize these treats to match your taste preferences or dietary needs.

Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Date Balls

• Dates: Rich, sticky fruit that provides natural sweetness and binds the mixture together. Whole, soft dates are best for better texture.
• Sugar: Adds extra sweetness and helps create a smooth caramel-like consistency.
• Butter: Creates a rich, smooth base and helps ingredients blend seamlessly.

• Pecans: Provides nutty flavor and delightful crunch. Fresh, high-quality pecans enhance overall taste.
• Cereal: Adds texture and helps bind the mixture. Choose a crisp, neutral-flavored cereal.

• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet undertones.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a sweet, delicate coating and adds a classic finish to the date balls.

How to Make Traditional Date Balls Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Nuts and Dates

Pulse dates and pecans in food processor until finely chopped. Ensure pieces are small and uniform for better texture.

Step 2: Create Sweet Base

Place butter, sugar, and dates in saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until sugar completely dissolves and ingredients blend smoothly.

Step 3: Combine Mixture

Remove saucepan from heat. Add vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and crispy rice cereal. Mix thoroughly with spatula until all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Shape Delightful Treats

Let mixture cool slightly for easier handling. Roll warm mixture into small round balls using palms. Make each ball approximately one inch in diameter.

Step 5: Dust with Sweet Coating

Gently roll balls in powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage. Place finished treats on parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 6: Store and Enjoy

Transfer date balls to airtight container. Store at room temperature.

Tips for Rolling and Storing Date Balls Easily

• Pulse Precisely: Use a food processor to chop dates and pecans uniformly, ensuring a smooth, consistent texture in every bite.
• Temperature Control: Let the mixture cool just enough to handle comfortably without burning your hands while shaping the balls.
• Sticky Solution: Lightly wet your hands with cold water to prevent the mixture from sticking to your fingers during rolling.
• Coating Creativity: Experiment with different coatings like shredded coconut, crushed graham crackers, or finely chopped nuts for added flavor and texture.
• Storage Savvy: Keep date balls refrigerated for up to a week, or freeze for longer preservation, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Date Ball Leftovers: Storage and Reheat Help

• Refrigerate: Place date balls in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Freeze: Arrange date balls on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Frozen date balls will maintain quality for 2-3 months.
• Thaw: Remove frozen date balls from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Gently roll in fresh powdered sugar to restore their original coating.

What to Serve with Old-Fashioned Date Balls

• Craft Complementary Coffee Companions: Pair these sweet date balls with a rich, dark roast coffee to balance their sugary intensity. The deep, bitter notes of espresso or French roast will cut through the sweetness and enhance the nutty pecan undertones.
• Sip Smooth Dessert Wines: Match these date balls with a glass of sweet dessert wine like moscato or a late-harvest riesling. The wine's fruity and honeyed profile will beautifully complement the date's natural caramel-like flavor.
• Create Creamy Milk Pairings: Serve alongside a cold glass of whole milk or a creamy vanilla milkshake. The smooth, mild dairy will soften the date balls' intense sweetness and provide a refreshing contrast to their rich texture.
• Brew Spiced Tea Delights: Enjoy with a warm chai or cinnamon-spiced tea. The aromatic spices will elevate the date balls' nutty complexity and create a warming, comforting flavor experience.

Mix-Ins to Elevate Your Date Ball Batch

• Nutty Chocolate Blast: Add mini chocolate chips to the mixture for a rich, decadent flavor and extra crunch. Melt dark chocolate and drizzle over the finished date balls for a luxurious touch.
• Coconut Crunch Edition: Replace pecans with toasted coconut flakes and roll the date balls in shredded coconut for a tropical sensory experience. Sprinkle some sea salt on top to enhance the sweetness.
• Spiced Wellness Rounds: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cardamom into the mixture. Roll the balls in ground almonds or chia seeds for added nutrition and interesting texture.
• No-Bake Protein Power: Mix in a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder to transform these treats into a post-workout snack. Use rolled oats instead of cereal for extra protein and fiber boost.

Old-Fashioned Date Balls Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 servings. 1x

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Description

Nostalgic date balls bring Mediterranean sweetness to classic dessert traditions. Nutty pecans and honey-kissed dates create a delightful no-bake treat you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) pitted dates, finely chopped
• 1 cup (100 grams) pecans, finely chopped
• 2 cups (56 grams) crisped rice cereal

Binding Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams/1 stick) butter
• ¾ cup (150 grams) white granulated sugar

Flavoring and Finishing:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting or rolling

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Instructions

1. Utilize a food processor to meticulously chop dates and pecans into uniform, fine pieces, ensuring optimal texture and binding potential.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat, gradually incorporating sugar and chopped dates while stirring consistently to create a smooth, cohesive mixture.
3. Continue cooking until sugar completely dissolves and ingredients meld together, creating a rich, caramel-like consistency.
4. Remove the saucepan from heat source and gently fold in vanilla extract, adding depth of flavor to the warm mixture.
5. Incorporate chopped pecans and crisp cereal, stirring carefully to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the sticky base.
6. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, permitting it to thicken and become more manageable for shaping.
7. With clean hands, delicately roll the mixture into bite-sized spheres, approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring consistent size and shape.
8. Place formed balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, providing a non-stick surface for cooling and setting.
9. Elegantly dust the date balls with powdered sugar, creating a delicate, sweet exterior that enhances both appearance and taste.
10. Transfer the completed treats to an airtight container, preserving their freshness and texture for future enjoyment.

Notes

• Precise chopping of dates and pecans is crucial, using a food processor ensures even texture and better binding.
• Avoid pre-chopped dates with sugar coatings, as they prevent proper mixture cohesion.
• Low and slow heating helps dissolve sugar completely and prevents burning or scorching of ingredients.
• Cooling the mixture slightly before forming balls makes shaping easier and prevents burning your hands.
• Rolling in powdered sugar creates a delightful sweet exterior and adds an elegant finishing touch.
• Storing in an airtight container maintains freshness and preserves the soft, chewy texture of these delectable treats.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Approximately 24 servings.
• Calories: 158
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg