Date Pecan Balls
Sweet, nutty date pecan balls with a hint of vanilla, coated in powdered sugar. Perfect for satisfying cookie cravings and ideal for festive occasions or everyday treats.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream the oleo and sugar together until smooth.
- Add vanilla and mix well.
- Stir in the sifted flour until combined.
- Mix in ground pecans and chopped dates.
- Roll teaspoonfuls of dough into balls.
- Refrigerate the balls for 1 to 2 hours.
- Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and roll the warm balls in powdered sugar.
- Allow the cookies to cool and then sprinkle with powdered sugar again.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using unsalted butter instead of oleo. If you want to make this recipe even healthier, you can substitute half the sugar with a natural sweetener like maple syrup. To ensure your balls are uniform in size, use a small cookie scoop. Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading during baking.
Serving Suggestions
These Date Pecan Balls make a delightful treat on their own but pair beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee. For a festive touch, serve them alongside Dessert Taco Chips for a unique dessert platter. They also complement a fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla ice cream well.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Date Pecan Balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate them for up to two weeks. For best texture, reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Date Pecan Balls contains roughly 204 calories, with 4g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 7g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (12% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! You can substitute ground walnuts or almonds for pecans if desired. Just keep in mind that this will alter the flavor slightly, but it will still be delicious. Experiment with different nuts to find your favorite combination.
Can I freeze the dough for later use?
Yes, you can freeze the unbaked dough! Simply roll the balls and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen. Then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you're ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What can I use instead of powdered sugar for rolling?
If you want to avoid powdered sugar, you can roll the warm balls in a mixture of crushed nuts or even cocoa powder for a different flavor profile. This adds a unique twist while maintaining the cookies' sweetness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).