These easy-to-make treats are inspired by the classic British dessert: sticky toffee pudding. As a decorating option, instead of sanding sugar, roll them in confectioners’ sugar combined with a large pinch of ground cinnamon.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 1 hr 20 min |
| Active: | 20 min |
| Yield: | about 30 balls |
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates (about 5 ounces)
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch fine salt
- 4 whole graham crackers, broken into pieces
- Colored sanding sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Put the dates, brown sugar and butter in a microwave-safe medium bowl and cover. Microwave on high in 1-minute increments, stirring in between, until the butter has melted.
- Transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add the walnuts, orange zest, vanilla, salt and graham crackers and pulse until the mixture comes together into a stiff and slightly tacky ball. Scoop heaping teaspoonfuls of dough and roll them into balls. Refrigerate the balls until firm, about 1 hour.
- Roll the chilled balls in sanding sugar. The sticky toffee balls can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 30 servings |
| Calories | 62 |
| Total Fat | 4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 2 mg |
| Sodium | 14 mg |
Reviews
These are just not very good. Wondering if a little brandy might help … they need something. Just not interesting enough.
Delicious! I highly recommend using Medjool dates if you can find them (they are sweet and softer than regular dates). I rolled them in confectioners sugar with some green sanding sugar and a grating of fresh nutmeg mixed in. (Definitely roll them before refrigerating). I find that prettier than just using the sanding sugar over the ‘brownish’ balls.
Pretty and festive. My dates were quite dry so balls stick together well enough. Added cardamom and extra orange zest. Also rolled in red and green sugar but did it prior to refrigeration as suggested by Iromopta. Tasty and gluten free.
Could not form a ball with the dough – a waste of ingredients!
I had to add more butter in tablespoon increments until the dough formed a ball. I rolled the balls in sugar before chilling.
Excellent taste. I rolled them in some icing sugar. Found that once chilled, the sugar did not stick. I will roll in sugar before chilling next time