Festive Fruit & Nut Balls

From EatingWell: December 2006

A no-bake, make-ahead treat, this perfect combination of fruit and nuts is a nutritious and delicious mouthful. Rolling them in shredded coconut gives them their festive look.

Makes: About 3 dozen cookies

Active Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 1/2 hours

Nutrition Profile

Diabetes appropriate | Low carbohydrate | Gluten free |

View Our Nutrition Guidelines »

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

Preparation

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.
Remove from the heat; stir in pistachios, walnuts, pecans and rum extract. Let stand until cool enough to handle, about 45 minutes.
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.

Tips & Notes

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.

Nutrition

Per cookie: 64 calories; 3 g fat ( 1 g sat , 1 g mono ); 12 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 9 mg sodium; 49 mg potassium.

Carbohydrate Servings: 1/2

Exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate (other), 1/2 fat

More From EatingWell

Healthy Muffin Tin Recipes

Muffin tins are great for making more than just muffins,...

Thanksgiving Potato Recipes

No Thanksgiving dinner table is complete without a bowl of...

Thanksgiving Vegetable Recipes

If you’re looking for new healthy vegetable side dishes to...

Recipes for Frozen Yogurt

When you serve one of these frozen goodies this summer, your...
Thanksgiving Meal Makeover

Save 851 calories with our Thanksgiving makeover. With a few...

Healthy Quesadilla Recipes

Quesadillas are the perfect family-friendly weeknight meal...

Healthy Turkey Burger Recipes

Making a burger with ground turkey is the first step for a...

Quick Dinner Recipes

At the end of a busy day, ordering take out for dinner might...
Recipes From the May/June 2013 Issue of EatingWell

Get new recipe inspiration from EatingWell's best recipes...

Tofu Four Ways

According to a 2005 study by the U.S. Soybean Board, 30...

Tilapia Recipes, Mahi-Mahi Recipes and Cod Recipes

The delicate white meat and full flavor found in mahi-mahi,...

Top 50 Diet Recipes

From dinner to dessert, you can feel good about eating our...
Top 50 Diet Recipes for Fall

With the changing weather and back-to-school season comes a...

Top 50 Healthy Recipes for Winter

From chili recipes and stew recipes to creamy chicken recipes...

Top 50 Healthy Recipes of 2012

Ring in the new year with EatingWell’s best healthy recipes!...

Top 50 Recipes for Fall

When the weather turns cooler, creamy casseroles, baked...