Dadelballetjies / Coconut Date Balls

One of my South African childhood favourites. So easy to make!

You can shape these into little balls or press all of the mixture into a baking paper lined tin or dish before topping with coconut, then slice into squares once firm. Medjool dates are my first choice, but you can use any variety of dates available to you.

Enough for about 25 small balls

COCONUT DATE BALLS

dates (pitted), 250g

brown sugar, 55g (60ml or 1/4 cup)

unsalted butter, 100g

plain, sweet biscuits, 200g - about 1 packet depending on the brand (Marie or Vanilla Wine or Milk Arrowroot)

desiccated coconut, about 100g (250ml or 1 cup) - for rolling

To start, finely chop the dates, then place them along with the sugar and butter in a large saucepan.

Cook the mixture over a medium heat (stirring occasionally) until all the butter has melted and the mixture is sticky.

Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Crush the biscuits into fine chunks then add them to the date mixture. Mix until uniform.

Roll tablespoon amounts into balls then roll in the desiccated coconut.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for several weeks.