Orange-Date Balls

These no-bake date balls come together almost entirely in the microwave. Chopped dates get cooked with margarine and sugar until soft and sticky, then orange zest, orange juice, vanilla, chopped nuts, and graham cracker crumbs get stirred in. Toasted whole wheat cereal flakes go in last, giving each ball a crunchy, textured bite.

The orange zest and juice lift the heavy sweetness of the dates with a bright citrus note. Without them, date balls can taste one-dimensional. That little burst of orange makes you want another one.

Butter your hands before rolling the mixture into one-inch balls, then coat each one in finely chopped nuts. They firm up as they cool and keep well in an airtight container.

Chef Tips

• Chop the dates finely so they melt into a smooth, sticky base during the microwave step. Large chunks won’t break down enough.
• Let the cooked mixture cool for the full 10 minutes before adding the cereal. Hot mixture will turn the flakes soggy.
• Butter your hands generously before rolling. The date mixture is extremely sticky and will cling to dry skin.
• Store in single layers separated by wax paper. They stick together if piled on top of each other.

Variations

• Use toasted coconut instead of chopped nuts for the outer coating.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the date mixture for a spiced version.
• Swap graham cracker crumbs for crushed vanilla wafers for a slightly different flavor.