It is Christmas Cookie Time!

Cookies are my favorite afternoon snack any time of the year. I usually grab one (or two) and a glass of milk before I head out to milk the cows. The cookie selection always increases this time of year when we are getting ready for Christmas parties and family gatherings. The smell of baking and spices is a welcoming aroma when I get in from working out in the cold.

Since our children were young, we let each pick a favorite Christmas cookie recipe to make. Now when they are home for the holidays, each one gets to bake their own batch. One chose chocolate bars topped with mint icing. Another chose raspberry bar cookies and someone else’s favorite was the peanut butter cookies topped with a Hershey kiss. Terry’s favorite is these coconut date balls. They are easy to make and disappear quickly from any cookie platter we put them on. I wish the recipe included more dairy ingredients – but they taste great with a glass of our cold raw milk or hot tea and a nibble of our Susquehanna cheese.

Here are a few cooking tips from Terry for you when you are making these:

When you are heating the butter and egg mixture, make sure you are constantly stirring or the mixture may burn. You will want a bowl of cold water to dip your hands in between shaping each ball. The date balls can be very warm at this stage. Your kids will love helping you with shaping the cookies and rolling them in the coconut. You can substitute toasted coconut for the coating to give it a little extra flavor. I usually store them in my freezer until I’m ready to put together a cookie tray.

Coconut Date Balls

Course: Dessert

My favorite Christmas cookie

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 egg (beaten)

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup sugar

• 1-1/2 cups chopped dates

• 1 cup chopped walnuts

• 3-4 cups Rice Krispy cereal

• 1 cup fine coconut

Directions

• Melt butter, salt, and sugar, and add beaten egg in a large saucepan stirring constantly. Boil for 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in chopped dates, chopped walnuts, and Rice Krispy cereal
• Form into 1–2-inch balls, dipping your hands in cold water in between each ball, and roll in fine coconut.
• Chill and store in an airtight container.

Notes

• When you are heating the butter and egg mixture, make sure you are constantly stirring or the mixture may burn. You will want a bowl of cold water to dip your hands in between shaping each ball. The date balls can be very warm at this stage. Your kids will love helping you with shaping the cookies and rolling them in the coconut. You can substitute toasted coconut for the coating to give it a little extra flavor. I usually store them in my freezer until I’m ready to put together a cookie tray.

If you try out this recipe be sure to let us know what you thought! Share photos of your results (if they last long enough for you to get photos) and tag us on social media.

Leave a comment below, what is your family’s favorite Christmas cookie?