February and March have brought out the sweet tooth in me even more than during the holidays. It isn’t that I’m deprived; I’m just perusing my pantry more when snow or ice are covering my driveway. So here is one delicious treat that has been temporarily renamed for the sake of the weather. It’s the infamous “Date Balls” which until this year, have forever been a staple of my sister’s and my Christmas desserts. When I happened to notice that Rice Krispies still abound in my pantry, along with one unused container of chopped dates, well I was grabbing the powdered sugar off the shelf and running for the butter before I could think of my “no sugar” resolution but a month or two ago. Instead, I was thinking, “What cute snowballs these will make!”

Here is what you need:  

1 stick salted butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup chopped dates

1 cup chopped pecans

2 cups Rice Krispies

1 teaspoon Vanilla  extract

1/2 box powdered sugar

Using a deep stainless steel pot, cook the first 3 ingredients until thickened, about 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly.

Then add the following:  Rice Krispies, chopped pecans, and vanilla extract. Cool just until you can handle the mixture without burning your fingers, but work quickly to roll into small balls, then roll in powdered sugar. This part is great for your baking assistants to do as you’re forming the balls. (Wax paper or parchment is great for this part). When cool, store in airtight container or glass jar. You’ll want everyone to see your “Snowballs That Don’t Melt” except in your mouth!