Description
Chocolate-drenched old-fashioned date balls elevate classic dessert nostalgia with pure comfort. Nutty sweetness and rich chocolate coating create an irresistible treat you’ll savor with delightful memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup (150 grams) white granulated sugar
- ½ cup (113 grams/1 stick) butter
- 8 oz (226 grams) pitted dates, finely chopped
- 1 cup (100 grams) pecans, finely chopped
- 2 cups (56 grams) crisped rice cereal
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar (for dusting or rolling)
Instructions
- Preparation: Pulverize dates and pecans in a food processor until finely and uniformly chopped, creating an ideal foundational texture for the confection.
- Caramelization: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over gentle heat, systematically blending sugar and chopped dates while stirring continuously to develop a smooth, rich mixture with a luxurious caramel-like essence.
- Flavor Integration: Remove from heat and introduce vanilla extract, then fold in pecans and crisp cereal, ensuring comprehensive ingredient distribution throughout the warm, sticky base.
- Forming: After allowing the mixture to slightly cool and firm, use immaculately clean hands to craft uniform spherical treats, each approximately one inch in diameter, positioning them carefully on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Finishing: Gracefully dust the formed date balls with a delicate layer of powdered sugar, creating an elegant, sweet exterior that elevates both visual appeal and gustatory experience.
- Storage: Carefully transfer the completed confections to an airtight container, preserving their delectable texture and ensuring optimal freshness for future indulgence.
Notes
- Precision Chopping Matters: Use a food processor to finely chop dates and pecans, creating a uniform texture that helps ingredients bind perfectly.
- Low and Slow Cooking: Melt butter and mix ingredients over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning and ensure a smooth, caramel-like consistency.
- Cooling is Crucial: Let the mixture cool slightly before shaping to make rolling easier and prevent burning your hands.
- Storage Tip: Keep date balls in an airtight container to maintain their fresh texture and prevent them from drying out quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 22
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg