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There are certain recipes that just taste like Christmas to me… this is one of them. My mom has been making these Coconut Snowballs at Christmas for as long as I can remember. Often, she would tint the coconut red or green for an extra festive touch. In our house we have always called them Coconut Date Balls… I’ve adjusted the title for two reasons, one, for some reason many people are turned off by thethought ofdates, and yet once they try these they change their mind! Secondly, I’m not a super big fan of desserts called “balls”, and somehow sneaking it in next to “snow” works a bit better =)
So, call them what you will, these little treats are sweet, crispy, flavorful and delicious!
Coconut Snowballs
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/8 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon milk
1 cup finely chopped dates
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups rice krispies cereal
Coconut (about 1 package)
Directions ~
1. Combine butter, salt, sugar, milk and dates in a large saucepan. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, and using a whisk to mash the dates a bit.
2. In a small bowl, beat theegg with a fork, then add a spoonful of the warm date mixture to temper the egg a bit. Add egg mixture to the saucepan, stirring constantly, cook about 2 minutes.
3. Remove pan from heat, add vanilla and stir, then add rice krispies and stir. Allow mixture to cool about 1 minute.
4. Pour about a cup of coconut into a bowl, then use a 1 tablespoon sizedcookie scoop (or a spoon) to scoop a ball of date mixture into the bowl of coconut. Use your hands to press coconut onto the date mixture, until fully covered with coconut, shaping into a ball as you work. Refill small bowl with coconut as needed.
5. Set finished Coconut Snowballs on a baking sheet or casserole dish. When all the snowballs have been made, serve immediately, or cover until ready to serve. These can be stored (at room temperature) 3-5 days. Recipe yields 30-34 balls.
Recipe Source-My Grandma(She has been making these over 40 years, previous source unknown)
How to Make Coconut Snowballs
Coconut Snowballs
There are certain recipes that just taste like Christmas to me… this is one of them!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 30
Calories 46 kcal
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
- 1/8 teaspoon salt if using unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 cup dates finely chopped
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups rice krispies cereal
- coconut about 1 package
Instructions
Combine butter, salt, sugar, milk and dates in a large saucepan. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, and using a whisk to mash the dates a bit.
In a small bowl, beat the egg with a fork, then add a spoonful of the warm date mixture to temper the egg a bit. Add egg mixture to the saucepan, stirring constantly, cook about 2 minutes.
Remove pan from heat, add vanilla and stir, then add rice krispies and stir. Allow mixture to cool about 1 minute.
Pour about a cup of coconut into a bowl, then use a 1 tablespoon sized cookie scoop (or a spoon) to scoop a ball of date mixture into the bowl of coconut. Use your hands to press coconut onto the date mixture, until fully covered with coconut, shaping into a ball as you work. Refill small bowl with coconut as needed.
Set finished Coconut Snowballs on a baking sheet or casserole dish. When all the snowballs have been made, serve immediately, or cover until ready to serve. These can be stored (at room temperature) 3-5 days. Recipe yields 30-34 balls.
Nutrition
Calories: 46kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 26mgPotassium: 42mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 139IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
Keyword coconut snowballs
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
For serving ideas, you can see how I’veincluded theseCoconut Snowballs in my
Vintage Pastel Christmas, Tropical Luau Party, and Classic Holiday Dessert Table.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Stacey saysI made these for my daughter’s birthday party – cat themed and we called them “hair balls” LOL but they were so delicious. Next time, I will cut the sugar in half and use a little less than 1/2 cup. I found it to be too sweet because the medjool dates I used were already very sweet.
Reply
- Martha Rodriguez says
Deliciosa receta!!!
Por favor el ingrediente fechas(dates) qué es. Vivo en Colombia y no sé cómo buscarlo.
Gracias.Reply
- Jaime says
is this supposed to be cooked over medium heat or high heat? your recipe does not indicate
Reply
- Glory says
Since the recipe does not require any boiling, you can use any temperature that is hot, but below a boil. Medium to medium/high would probably be appropriate.
- BrooklynRymer says
Can't have Christmas without these, my mom has made these for years. We call them Humdingers though, haha! She has never used coconut though, just rolled them in powdered sugar. The coconut seems great, will definitely make this way!
Reply
- Jane says
My grandmother used to make these as well, and I learned to just call them "Edna's Krispy Ccconut Balls" because of all the date-haters as well. But if they don't know what's in 'em, then they love 'em. One bite and they instantly transport me back to her kitchen during the Holidays.
Reply
- Lissa (Bellenza) says
Couldn't be more perfect for those upcoming holiday parties!
Reply
- kyleen says
These are adorable! I love bite-sized snacks.
Reply
These are beautiful! I love snowballs for the holidays and love your recipe! I like how you incorporate coconut.
Reply
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