Crispy, buttery, nutty and sweet, Missionary Date Balls are a tasty bite-size little treat!
These Missionary Date Balls are a holiday tradition in my family. My grandmother made them all the time during the holidays when I was growing up. She would make a big batch, some she would roll in coconut, some in powdered sugar and some in nuts. My favorite, then and now, is the coconut, the men in my family enjoy the nuts and the kids love the powdered sugar.
My mom, inherited the recipe from her mom, and also makes these Missionary Date Balls. Now, she has passed down the recipe to my brother and I, and we both love to make them for our families.
If you have never had one of these Missionary Date Balls, you will be amazed at the buttery goodness that is packed into each of these little round orbs of delicious-ness. The dates provide a rich sweetness, crispy rice cereal provides just the right amount of crunch and pecans add a wonderful nuttiness.
These Missionary Date Balls are truly a special treat to cherish with loves ones, during the holiday season, and anytime.
Missionary Date Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups chopped dates
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 ½ cups crisped rice cereal (I use Rice Krispies)
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- shredded coconut, powdered sugar or additional chopped pecans, for rolling
Instructions
- In a large pot, stir together butter, sugar, dates, milk and salt over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil. Boil, stirring, for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat, cool slightly.
- Add crisped rice cereal, pecans and vanilla to pot, stir to combine.
- Shape mixture into small balls, about 1-inch in size, roll each ball in either coconut, powdered sugar or chopped pecans.
These are simply awesome!
I love dates and I probably would not be able to stop eating them 🙂
Congrats! Missionary Date Balls is a Featured Post at the Home Matters Linky Party ! The Door is Open, so come one by and add a Linky to the Party. 🙂
~Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai
#HomeMattersParty
Thanks so much for the feature Lorelai!
My youngest daughter has been asking me to make a recipe using dates and this would be a great one to try. Thanks for sharing it.
Hi Erlene, hope you give it a try and enjoy!
Hello cute lady! I bet these little gems made a lot of people happy! Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for being a part of our party. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. We love to party with you! Lou Lou Girls
Thanks so much!
Going to make this week, thanks for posting!
Oh good! Let me know how it goes!
came out great! a nice reminder of our grandmother. i am curious if anyone else’s grandmother made these and if so whats your interpretation of the name, why includes the word missionary..
I am so curious about the name too, I hope we figure it out!
thank you for sharing this yumminess at the cookie swap. Pinned to the Christmas cookie board xo
Thanks Katherine! Thanks for the pin 🙂
I love recipes with history, and your Missionary Date Ball sound wonderful. Thanks for sharing at the Home Matters Linky Party. Pinned and shared.
Merry Christmas!
~Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai
#HomeMatters
Thanks Lorelai! Thanks for the pin 🙂
This is a very nice recipe. We make a similar recipe with almonds, but, it is not nearly as good as yours.
Thank-you! Thanks for coming by 🙂
These look so so good. They would look beautiful on a cookie tray. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe 🙂
Thanks so much!
These look so good and great for the festive season too. Love dates & so good for you aswell 🙂
Thanks so much!
I love dates, and these date balls look absolutely scrumptious. Will be on my to do list. Thank you for sharing. Pinned!
Thanks Hadia and thanks for the pin!
These are so different and look wonderful! A must try! Pinned!
Thanks so much AnnMarie! Thanks for the pin 🙂
I have a full bowl of dates I bought a few weeks ago and was wondering how I could use them. Thanks for an awesome recipe!
Thanks Zan! Hope you give them a try and enjoy!