Dates are a common ingredient in many holiday recipes. Everything from cakes, rolls, pies, and cookies have all been created around this super fruit. Dates are mentioned in the Bible as the “tree of life,” so it follows that dates would be a common addition to Christmas recipes celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Dates have developed a bad reputation over the years. When most people think of dates the infamous fruitcake often comes to mind. However, dates are a sweet and versatile addition to most baked good recipes.
Day 4: Coconut Date Balls
I began making this recipe a few years ago when I was in search of a new cookie to add to our gift giving cookie platter. I was tired of the usual holiday cookie fare and wanted to add something unique yet full of holiday tradition to our annual cookie platter that we give to friends and neighbors. After trying a few variations of this recipe I settled on this final coconut and date pairing.
The toasted coconut adds a taste and texture that pairs perfectly with the moist and sweet dates. Being that they are bite-sized and so easy to pop in your mouth, these cookies never last long in my large family. Sweetened by only the date caramel sauce, you won’t feel guilty eating your fair share of this holiday cheer.
Coconut Date Balls
Ingredients
- 4 cups almond flour
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup cashew butter store bought or homemade*
- 5 medjool dates soak in warm water for 30 minutes
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Toast coconut on a baking sheet 3-5 minutes or until golden brown.
- Drain the dates from the soaking water. Remove seeds if seeded and add to a food processor with 2T new water. Pulse until a caramel-like paste forms.
- In the same food processor, add flour, cashew butter, toasted coconut, vanilla, and sea salt. Pulse until combined.
- Form 1 inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake 10 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Want more grain-free Christmas cookies? See all the cookies in this series!
Alexis is a veteran homeschooling Mom of 7 who enjoys gluten-free and vegan cooking. When she isn’t homeschooling or caring for her large family she enjoys blogging about healthy living at Health Matters. Life Matters. In her spare time she enjoys photography, the beach, and a good book.
Sounds good… but… How much coconut??? There is no coconut listed in ingredients… only in title and instructions. I would like to try recipe, Thank You.
Sorry about that oversight! I’ve fixed the recipe 🙂
Alexis I’ve shared this on my Pinterest board so I’ll have it handy in the future. These look amazing! I love vegan and raw desserts. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
How many does this recipe make?
Would coconut flour be a good replacement for almond flour? I cannot use almond flour. Or – perhaps another nut meal?
I’ve not used any other nut meal, but I think that would be a better idea than coconut flour. If you try to replace the almond flour with nut flour it would be too thick. Coconut flour uses much more liquid than almond flour. If you try it out with another nut meal, let us know how it turns out!
I can’t eat cashews could I use almond or pecan butter as a replacement?
Be still my heart!! These are definitely on my “must make list” 🙂
These look great and would be a great addition to my Christmas cookie list. I’d love if you would share this at the blog party, Celebrate It! We are all about celebrating the little everyday things of our wonderful life, along with the big things!
http://thefreshmancook.blogspot.com/2014/12/celebrate-it-blog-party-20.html
Thank you so much for the invite!
Hi Alexis,
Your Coconut Date Balls will be a special treat. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you have a great weekend and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thanks for the recipe! I definitely need to try this. It looks so delicious.