I know kids sometimes go through phases, but it looks like I’m going through one too. We’ll just call this my “dried fruit phase.” First I baked a Chocolate Coffee Cake that was filled with dried apricots, then I turned around and made Dried Cherry Cardamom Bread immediately afterward. Well, the coffee cake and bread are gone, and I’m still looking for dried fruit recipes. This time I have gone retro and pulled one out of the 60’s. These Coconut-Date Rice Krispie Balls are from an old recipe that I used as a teenager.
Coconut-Date Rice Krispie Balls
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup chopped dates
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or can substitute rum extract if you make these for the holidays)
2 cups Rice Krispie cereal
1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
1 1/2 cups coconut
Prepare a sheet pan by lining with parchment paper; set aside. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sugar, dates, and egg. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla, cereal, and pecans. Let mixture cool for about 15 minutes, then shape into 1-inch balls. Place the coconut in a shallow dish, and roll the balls in the coconut. Place on the prepared pan. Chill until firm, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container. Makes about 3 – 4 dozen.
This small spiral pad has lost its outside cover, but it has held some of my first and dearest recipes. My friend Janis gave me this blank recipe book just before I got married, and this month my husband and I will celebrate our 45th anniversary. I wrote recipes from home in this little book, and the Coconut-Date Rice Krispie Ball recipe is one of them, only slightly updated over the years.
Because I’m going through a “dried fruit phase” this recipe features chopped dates.
After the cooked mixture is cool enough to handle, make into 1-inch balls and roll in coconut. Chill for about 15 minutes until firm.
The crunchy taste of these little goodies takes me back in time – I remember first making these in one of my mother’s copper-bottomed pots in her kitchen.
All images and text copyright © 2021 Sugar, Spice and Spilled Milk/Aunt Nubby’s Kitchen.Blogspot.com
i do love dates! I use dates often in my cooking–they are sweet and yummy. My current favorite dried fruit mix comes from King Arthur Flour. It is called their 'Fruit Cake' blend. Now I don't make fruit cake but I used it in many other recipes. I just added a handful to some homemade granola.
Yes, I see your need to use dried fruit–it's delicious. I think I remember these yummy Rice Krispie Date Balls from many years ago.
These look yummy! I have an old cookbook from my high school days. I still pull it out on a regular basis and use the old recipes I've gathered too. Thanks for sharing at the Rock N Share!
Hi Anita,
Congratulations on 45 years of marriage that is just awesome. Your notebook is such a treasure, sometimes those old recipes are the very best. Your Coconut Date Rice Krispie Balls look delicious. Have a great St. Patrick's Day and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Oh you big tease Anita! ;-} I'm wiping the drool off my keyboard. I just LOOOVE these during the holidays, but why wait, right? We just celebrated our 45th anniversary this month too! How about that? Always a special treat to 'remember' special memories, like those that come with this yummy recipe. Great post!