These delightful date balls with pecans are a sweet, nutty treat perfect for any occasion. The combination of chewy dates and crispy rice cereal creates a delightful texture, while the pecans add a rich, nutty flavor. Rolled in powdered sugar, these bite-sized snacks are not only delicious but also easy to make.
If you don't usually have dates or pecans at home, make sure to pick them up from the supermarket. Dates are often found in the dried fruit section, while pecans can typically be found with other nuts and baking supplies. Confectioners' sugar is another key ingredient that you might need to grab if you don't have it stocked in your pantry.
Ingredients Needed For Date Balls With Pecans
Dates: These are the sweet base of the recipe, adding a chewy texture and natural sweetness.
White sugar: Used to sweeten the mixture further and help bind everything together.
Margarine: Adds richness and helps to meld the ingredients together.
Crispy rice cereal: Provides a crunchy texture to contrast the softness of the dates.
Pecans: Adds a nutty flavor and a bit of crunch to the balls.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, sweet note.
Confectioners' sugar: Used to coat the date balls, giving them a sweet exterior and a slight crunch.
One reader, Dasha Seaton says:
These date balls with pecans are a delightful treat! The combination of sweet dates, crunchy pecans, and crispy rice cereal is perfect. Rolling them in confectioners' sugar adds a lovely touch. They are easy to make and absolutely delicious. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert!
Techniques for Perfect Date Balls with Pecans
How to cook and stir dates, sugar, and margarine: Combine these ingredients in a large saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves completely. How to fold ingredients: Gently mix the crispy rice cereal, pecans, and vanilla extract into the date mixture until everything is evenly distributed. How to grease hands: Apply a small amount of margarine to your hands to prevent the date mixture from sticking while rolling it into balls. How to roll date mixture into balls: Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into 1-inch balls using your greased hands. How to coat in confectioners' sugar: Spread the confectioners' sugar in a shallow dish and roll each date ball in the sugar until fully coated.
How To Make Date Balls With Pecans
Our date balls recipe makes two dozen that can serve a small gathering during the holidays. It mixes crispy rice cereals, dates, and chopped pecans.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 8ozpackage chopped pitted dates
- 1cupwhite sugar
- ½cupmargarine
- 3cupscrispy rice cereal
- 1cupchopped pecans
- 1tspvanilla extract
- ½cupconfectioners’ sugaror as needed
Instructions
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Cook and stir dates, sugar, and margarine in a large saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves; remove from heat.
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Fold crispy rice cereal, pecans, and vanilla extract into the date mixture until evenly mixed.
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Grease your hands with margarine. Roll date mixture into 1-inch balls.
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Spread confectioners’ sugar into a shallow dish; roll date balls in confectioners’ sugar to coat.
Nutrition
- Calories: 140.53kcal
- Fat: 7.06g
- Saturated Fat: 0.99g
- Trans Fat: 0.69g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.67g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.12g
- Carbohydrates: 20.17g
- Fiber: 1.10g
- Sugar: 17.25g
- Protein: 0.71g
- Sodium: 30.82mg
- Calcium: 9.60mg
- Potassium: 87.68mg
- Iron: 0.77mg
- Vitamin A: 0.80µg
- Vitamin C: 0.05mg
Pro Tip for Mastering Date Balls with Pecans
When cooking the dates, sugar, and margarine over low heat, make sure to stir constantly to prevent the mixture from burning and to ensure the sugar dissolves evenly. This will create a smooth base for your date balls.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Date Balls with Pecans
Prepare ingredients ahead: Chop the dates and pecans in advance to streamline the process.
Use a food processor: Quickly blend the dates and pecans for a smoother mixture.
Measure ingredients: Pre-measure the sugar, margarine, and cereal to save time during cooking.
Grease hands efficiently: Use a small amount of margarine on your hands to prevent sticking while rolling the date balls.
Batch rolling: Roll multiple date balls at once to speed up the process.
Substitute Ingredients For Date Balls with Pecans
chopped pitted dates - Substitute with dried figs: Dried figs have a similar sweetness and texture, making them a good alternative to dates.
white sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index and adds a slight caramel flavor.
margarine - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a similar fat content and adds a subtle coconut flavor.
crispy rice cereal - Substitute with crushed cornflakes: Crushed cornflakes offer a similar crunch and texture.
chopped pecans - Substitute with chopped walnuts: Walnuts have a similar texture and nutty flavor, making them a good replacement for pecans.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor profile.
confectioners' sugar - Substitute with powdered coconut sugar: Powdered coconut sugar offers a similar texture and sweetness with a slight caramel note.
Creative Ways to Present Date Balls
Use elegant serving dishes: Present the date balls on a sleek, white porcelain platter to highlight their rich color and texture.
Create a visual contrast: Place the date balls on a bed of finely crushed pecans to add a contrasting texture and color.
Incorporate edible flowers: Garnish the platter with a few edible flowers like violets or pansies to add a touch of sophistication and color.
Add a drizzle of sauce: Lightly drizzle a thin line of dark chocolate sauce across the platter for an elegant touch and a hint of bitterness to balance the sweetness.
Use microgreens for garnish: Sprinkle a few microgreens around the date balls to add a fresh, vibrant element to the presentation.
Serve with a side of dipping sauce: Provide a small bowl of vanilla-infused yogurt or coconut cream on the side for an additional layer of flavor and a creamy texture.
Add a touch of gold: Lightly dust the date balls with edible gold leaf for a luxurious and eye-catching finish.
Use a decorative element: Place a small, decorative element like a cinnamon stick or a star anise on the platter to enhance the visual appeal and hint at the flavors within.
Highlight the confectioners' sugar: Ensure the confectioners' sugar coating is even and pristine, creating a snowy, elegant look that contrasts beautifully with the rich interior.
Serve with a complementary beverage: Pair the date balls with a small glass of spiced chai tea or espresso to enhance the overall dining experience.
Essential Tools for Making Pecan Date Balls
Large saucepan: Used to cook and stir the dates, sugar, and margarine mixture over low heat.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the date mixture to ensure the sugar dissolves properly.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the ingredients like sugar, margarine, crispy rice cereal, and pecans.
Mixing bowl: Needed to combine the crispy rice cereal, pecans, and vanilla extract with the date mixture.
Rubber spatula: Useful for folding the ingredients together to ensure an even mix.
Shallow dish: Used to spread the confectioners' sugar for coating the date balls.
Baking sheet: Handy for placing the rolled date balls after coating them in confectioners' sugar.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the vanilla extract accurately.
Greaseproof paper: Useful for lining the baking sheet to prevent the date balls from sticking.
Hands: Greased with margarine to roll the date mixture into balls without it sticking.
Storing and Freezing Date Balls for Later
Let the date balls cool completely before storing or freezing. This will help prevent them from sticking together and maintain their shape.
To store the date balls at room temperature, place them in an airtight container lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Separate layers with additional paper to prevent sticking. They will keep for up to 1 week at room temperature.
For longer storage, refrigerate the date balls in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
To freeze the date balls, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are not touching each other. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours, or until the balls are firm.
Once frozen, transfer the date balls to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Separate layers with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent sticking. Label the container with the date and contents.
Frozen date balls will keep for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove the desired number of balls from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
If the confectioners' sugar coating becomes sticky or dissolves during storage, simply roll the date balls in a fresh layer of confectioners' sugar before serving to restore their appearance and texture.
Interesting Trivia About Date Balls with Pecans
A fun fact about this recipe is that dates are a natural sweetener, making them a healthier alternative to refined sugar. They are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which can add nutritional value to your date balls.
Are Homemade Date Balls Cost-Effective?
This date balls with pecans recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like dates, crispy rice cereal, and pecans are relatively affordable and can be bought in bulk. The use of margarine instead of butter also helps in reducing costs. For a household of 4, the approximate cost would be around $10-$12 USD. Overall Verdict: 8/10.
Are Date Balls with Pecans Healthy?
The date balls with pecans recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. The main concerns are the high sugar content and the use of margarine, which is a source of unhealthy trans fats. The recipe calls for a full cup of white sugar, and the dates themselves are naturally high in sugar. Additionally, the crispy rice cereal likely contains added sugars as well. The pecans do provide some healthy fats and nutrients, but they are overshadowed by the less nutritious ingredients.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of white sugar or replace it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup
- Use butter instead of margarine to avoid trans fats
- Opt for a whole-grain crispy cereal or rolled oats for added fiber and nutrients
- Increase the proportion of pecans for more healthy fats and protein
- Add some unsweetened shredded coconut for flavor and texture
- Experiment with adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for flavor without extra sugar
- Roll the balls in cocoa powder instead of confectioners' sugar for a less sugary coating
Editor's Opinion on These Delightful Date Balls
This date balls with pecans recipe is a delightful blend of textures and flavors. The natural sweetness of the dates pairs beautifully with the crunch of the crispy rice cereal and chopped pecans. The margarine and sugar create a rich, cohesive mixture, while the vanilla extract adds a subtle depth. Rolling the balls in confectioners' sugar gives them a perfect, sweet finish. It's a simple yet elegant treat that can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert. The recipe is straightforward, making it accessible for both novice and experienced cooks.
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Why trust this Date Balls with Pecans:
This recipe for date balls with pecans is a delightful treat that combines the natural sweetness of dates with the satisfying crunch of crispy rice cereal and pecans. The use of margarine ensures a rich, buttery flavor, while the vanilla extract adds a hint of warmth. Rolling the balls in confectioners' sugar gives them a perfect finishing touch. This recipe is simple to follow and guarantees a delicious result every time.
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