At this time of year, we’re all looking for that one simple food to bring, take, give and gift. All of us have that one go-to recipe that isn’t gourmet or expensive but never disappoints. For me, that is my mother’s recipe for date balls. This recipe has just six ingredients – five if you don’t want to add the optional nuts. It takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and you’ll have most of the ingredients on hand. It’s good for parties, cookie exchanges, office potlucks and gifts.

My mother probably obtained this recipe from a magazine or off the back of a butter box. She’s sneaky like that. I don’t know the original provenance of the recipe, so I’ll just call them…

Mom’s Date Balls



Ingredients:

 

1 stick (½  cup) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
8 oz. pitted dates – chopped
2 egg yolks
2 cups (trademarked) Crisped Rice cereal (!)
1 c. chopped nuts of your choice (pecans or walnuts work best) – optional

powdered sugar for rolling



Instructions:

*Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium low heat (this is #2 or #3 on my stove dial).

*After butter is melted, pour sugar and dates into the pan, then add egg yolks on top.

 

*Stir together quickly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. (ick) 

*Continue to heat on medium-low while mashing it all together with the back of your spoon.
Could you use a potato masher?
Well, I don't see why not!

 


::Note: Shelf-stable “baking dates” will melt almost completely into the butter and sugar. Fresher dates will maintain their structure better – your choice.::

*Keep a watch on your temperature so you don’t scorch the mixture.

*When all is combined into gooey goodness, remove from heat and stir in cereal.

 


::Warning: You will want to taste the goo. Do not taste the goo. I taste the goo every single time and it’s very, very good. I also have permanent scars on the roof of my mouth. I repeat - don’t be a Jodi -  do not taste the goo.::

*Walk away for 5-10 minutes. Take a walk. Pet your dog. Submit an article about underwater basket weaving to Guns & Ammo just to see if you can strong-arm them into changing their format. I don’t care – just walk away. (Unless you want your hands to match the roof of my mouth)

*After 10 minutes, return to your pan.

*Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray or rub them with butter.
Pick up as much of the mixture as you’d like to form a ball. An inch or so seems to work well as “bite-sized.” I have made little tiny balls and giant balls, it doesn’t matter. You can even press the mixture into a mold or pan to form bars or spiffy shapes. Just remember that they will be covered in powdered sugar, so bite-sized tends to keep the powdered sugar off the rug.

 

Roll the balls in powdered sugar. This process has a shockingly low mess quotient. (Offer void if children are involved.)

These date balls have an excellent texture. Store them in an air-tight container and they will stay crispy and tasty for several days.

Okay… bring on the ball jokes!

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all photos copyright © 2009 by jodi a. kasten • all rights reserved

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