Festive Fruit And Nut Balls

I have a confession to make, I’m a big fan of coconut, so when I saw this recipe for no bake Festive Fruit and Nut Balls I knew I had to include it in the holiday recipes I’ve been sharing here. The best part about this recipe is you can make it up to one month ahead of time, and store them in the freezer.

They would work great for your holiday parties, for a cookie exchange party, or the office carry in. Wherever you take this recipe I’m sure it will be a hit.

The best part is they’re relatively healthy for you. The recipe was created by the folks at Eating Well Magazine, and it’s featured at the Go Green With Pistachios website.

Pistachios are another holiday favorite of mine (actually I like them all year round), so I was excited to see how healthy they are for you. Check out how you can Go Green With Pistachios for Better health, then come back and check out this recipe.

Festive Fruit and Nut Balls
Courtesy of Eating Well

* Yield: about 3 dozen cookies
* Prep Time: 45 minutes
* Total Time: 1 1/2 hours

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup pitted and snipped dates
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup chopped pistachios, preferably unsalted
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon rum extract
• 3/4 cup shredded coconut

Instructions

1. Combine sugar, cranberries, dates and eggs in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, is pale yellow in color, registers at least 170°F on an instant-read thermometer and when a spoon is pulled through it, it leaves a clear trail. This will take 6 to 14 minutes, depending on how hot your stove’s “medium-low” setting is.
2. Remove from the heat; stir in pistachios, walnuts, pecans and rum extract. Let stand until cool enough to handle, about 45 minutes.
3. With damp or lightly oiled hands, form the mixture into 1-inch balls (about 1 generous teaspoon each). Roll each ball in coconut. Place the finished balls on a baking sheet lined with wax paper and store in the refrigerator.

Make Ahead Tip
Place on wax paper; store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

Image Eating Well