No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls

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These 4-ingredient No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls will blow your thoughts! The blended dates create a candy caramelly texture whereas the pecans, almonds and vanilla mimic the traditional pie flavors completely! Do that easy, on-the-go snack!

Simply to make clear, dates usually are not the identical factor as prunes. A dried prune could look much like a date, however they don’t style the identical in any respect. The truth is, dates are candy, caramelly and chewy. They aren’t dry (or they shouldn’t be), and so they actually do style like sweet. You’ll be able to’t say that a couple of prune!!

Dates, pecans and almonds make up the bottom of those balls, identical to one among my favourite sorts of Larabar – pecan pie! I included a contact of vanilla to actually improve the pie taste. In the event you’ve by no means tried dates, that is the right time to see what they will do!

Name them a date ball, name them an power ball, you do you so long as you make these! Truthfully, you’ll be shocked. These cute little balls are unimaginable. Since they don’t require refrigeration, they’re excellent little make-ahead snacks for the work day, street journeys, or simply life normally.

What are the components in these No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls?

Don’t fear, making these balls is nothing like making pecan pie. It’s the flavour that’s mimicked oh so nicely! These 4 components can be found at any grocery retailer, however I particularly just like the nuts and dates from Dealer Joe’s.

Be sure you test the recipe card beneath for particular ingredient portions and directions. Right here’s extra information on all components used and what they create to the recipe:

• medjool dates – In terms of dates, you need large, juicy medjools for this recipe. Trader Joe’s sells delicious dates in an ideal amount – test the refrigerated part by the berries! Different shops don’t often maintain them chilled.
• pecans – For each the almonds and the pecans, you should use both uncooked or roasted, salted or unsalted. What you select will affect the style of the balls once you’re completed. I choose the style of roasted and salted nuts, in order that’s what I take advantage of on this recipe.
• almonds – The Pecan Pie Larabars include almonds, and I can see why. They supply the slightest taste distinction to the pecans, simulating a crust taste in my thoughts! They’re additionally firmer, providing you with a bit extra crunch when having fun with the balls.
• vanilla extract – I believe that is the ingredient that takes it from *fruit and nuts* to ~pie vibes~! Vanilla gives that delicate background taste you additionally get in most pies.
• sea salt – A little bit of salt brings collectively all of the sweetness from the dates, and all of the nutty flavors from the pecans and almonds. You need a pinch of salt in these balls in some way, whether or not it’s from salted nuts, or including a pinch in your self.

How do you make these No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls?

One of the best ways to mix dates and nuts collectively is by utilizing a food processor. This isn’t one thing you should use a blender for, sadly. Apart from that, it’s an excellent easy recipe.

Begin by soaking your pitted dates in sizzling water. I wish to put them right into a heatsafe bowl (corresponding to a Pyrex), after which pour water heated to round 200F into the bowl. You too can simply warmth up some water within the microwave. Watch out!

Let the dates soak within the sizzling water for 10 minutes, then drain them and allow them to sit within the strainer whilst you measure out the opposite components. Soaking the dates helps soften them up and add some moisture to the balls. This helps every part stick collectively.

Subsequent, add all of the components to the bowl of your meals processor, together with the soaked dates, pecans, almonds, vanilla additional and salt if wanted. Put the lid on and mix on Excessive for about 15 seconds. Take away the lid and push the perimeters down if essential. Put the lid again on and mix for one more 15 seconds.

The combination needs to be nicely blended however with items of nuts nonetheless seen. It ought to stick collectively once you squish it between your fingers. Watch out to not overblend – I believe it’s higher with a little bit of texture from the items of nuts!

As soon as the combination is mixed up, it’s time to roll it into balls. I like to make use of gloves for this half, however you don’t need to! Simply wash your fingers. The balls needs to be round an inch in diameter. If you find yourself with roughly than 12, that’s completely okay (simply word the estimated dietary data will probably be off).

And that’s it! Your pecan pie date balls are able to get pleasure from. Some individuals get pleasure from them a bit firmer (retailer them within the fridge), and a few individuals like them softer (retailer on the counter).

Finest ideas for making Date Balls:

Listed here are my finest ideas for making these date balls in your personal kitchen:

• Don’t skip the date soaking step! This helps soften up the dates and add a little bit of moisture so every part sticks collectively.
• Don’t overblend the date nut combination. Throughout testing, I blended one batch up for shut to at least one minute, as a substitute of 30 seconds. There was much less texture and fewer crunch. I choose the much less blended model higher!
• Style to see for those who want salt. Relying on the sort of nuts you utilize, there might be various ranges of saltiness within the combination after mixing. Be sure you give it a style. If it appears too candy and you may’t select the flavors, add one other pinch of salt.

Can I take advantage of uncooked nuts as a substitute of roasted nuts?

Certain! It will change the flavour barely, however the balls will nonetheless be scrumptious. Additionally, you will want so as to add some salt to the combination, or sprinkle some coarse or flaky salt on high.

What sort of meals processor do you’ve gotten?

The meals processor I take advantage of and the one pictured on this put up is the Cuisinart 8-Cup Food Processor (affiliate hyperlink!).

I like this meals processor, apart from one little quirk: there’s a tiny area close to the highest of the deal with the place stuff (water, meals stuff, and so forth.) will get caught down inside and also you actually can’t clear it. If you understand a technique to clear this spot, please inform me 😩

That being mentioned, she’s a BEAST and has lasted years. This kitchen equipment has by no means failed me, and I can inform it’s constructed to final, regardless of it being largely plastic.

How do you meal prep this snack?

To meal prep, merely make the recipe as directed and retailer in an hermetic container with lid within the fridge for as much as 2 weeks. Pack a pair balls into particular person containers or reusable luggage as wanted all through the week.

Find out how to retailer No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls:

For a softer texture, retailer balls in a sealed container on the counter for as much as 7 days. For a firmer texture, retailer balls in a sealed container within the fridge for as much as 2 weeks.

Find out how to freeze No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls:

Balls can be saved within the freezer (tightly wrapped or in an hermetic freezer protected container) for as much as 3 months for very best quality. Thaw on the counter for a pair hours earlier than having fun with.

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