I found this recipe a few weeks ago and have been wanting to make them ever since. But the Christmas season was in full swing and I was baking up sweet treats and eating way too many of them {aagh} even though I had gone a full two months of without eating any added refined sugar or white flour. I was feeling so proud of myself!
So now with the New Year here, I’ve recommitted to cut out as much refined sugar and flour as I can.
Here’s my latest recipe to add to my Paleo/Modified Paleo category. The original recipe name is Coconut Pecan Bites but I renamed mine Nutty-Date Balls. These are rich tasting little morsels that are sweetened with dates and pure maple syrup. They can be formed into cubes or balls ~ I found them much easier to roll and I like the way they look. After making them I popped them in the freezer for a few hours for a quick chilling and then placed them in a zip-top freezer bag and put them back in the freezer. They don’t freeze completely but I thought they would last longer in the freezer than in the refrigerator and I like the extra bit of chill and firmness the freezer gives them.
For a nutritious treat give these Nutty-Date Balls a try.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup raw walnuts
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup raw pecans
- 3/4 cup pitted dates (I used 10 Medjool dates)
- 2 tablespoons shredded coconut (I used unsweetened)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- extra coconut to coat the balls (about 2/3 cup)
Directions
- Add the walnuts, pecans, and cashews to the food processor and pulse until they are finely ground. Place the ground nuts in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Add the dates to the food processor and pulse until a sticky paste starts to form.
- Add the coconut, pure maple syrup, cinnamon, and cardamom to the date paste and mix.
- Add the date mixture to the nuts and stir to combine well.
- Form into balls (or cubes).
- Place the extra coconut in a bowl and gently coat each ball.
- Place on a plate or cookie sheet and put into the freezer for a few hours and then transfer to a zip-top bag for storage.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Yum!
Recipe source: The Fitchen
{Click here to see where I link up.} 
I really do need to try these! For some reason, I hated dates as a kid. I think someone made a crack about them looking like cockroaches and that flipped the switch for me. They seem like a great resource to use as a binder in a lot off different recipes. I’m thinking this is a good “starter” recipe for me to start incorporating them. 😉 [#PinItThurs]
That’s a funny story but I’m pretty sure that would have kept me from eating dates, too!
These look fantastic! Pinned and making this weekend 😉
I would love to know how you like them, Shantalle.
YUM! I feel like if I ate these, I would not stop. I sure love me some dates, especially the Medjools! Great recipe idea.
Leilani, they are very nutritious so you can eat two or three {or more!}. They’re quite rich though so you could probably stop after about that many. 🙂
My oh my! These little nuggets of YUM look luscious. LOVE this recipe. I often make treats with nuts and dates, etc. etc. Thanks so much for sharing at Weekend Potluck.