These no-bake coconut date logs slice into sweet and crispy date cookies. They're an easy roll-and-slice date cookie made with soft Medjool dates and puffed rice cereal. They're delightfully addictive and they may become a new holiday tradition in your home!
A "retro" recipe
Here's a retro recipe! Slice and serve coconut date log cookies!
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For years I looked for the recipe my grandmother made every Christmas when I was very young. She would bring them to our house in a chocolate box, wrapped in wax paper. They were thinly sliced logs, made with dates and crisp rice cereal, rolled in coconut. They were always my favourite Christmas treat!
After having zero success finding either her hand-written recipe or one on the internet, I decided to experiment and make them myself.
Success! After a few tries, I nailed it! These taste exactly like the ones my Grandma made. They have a slightly crisp texture and a rich warm caramel flavour.
So here's my "retro recipe!" While I don't often cook with items like Rice Krispies or even brown sugar, I knew that those would have been the ingredients she would have used 'way back then.
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- This is an easy no-bake recipe that you can make well in advance of the holiday season. It will last in the refrigerator or freezer for weeks.
- One of these date logs wrapped attractively makes a welcome hostess or neighbour gift. Download your cute free printable gift tags below!
- These no-bake date cookies are sweet, they're crispy and they have a buttery, caramel flavour that is simply addictive!
- This recipe makes 48 slices or more!
- These slices of date cookies (they're almost like date candy) make a nice addition to a holiday cookie tray. They're also ideal to pack for camping trips, hikes or picnics as they're a quick source of energy.
- They're nut-free! Many holiday cookies contain nuts, so providing a nut-free cookie choice for those with allergies or sensitivities will be welcomed.
- Dates are naturally sweet. They're high in natural sugar, but they're also packed with nutrients and fiber!
I use these soft and squishy Medjool dates often, especially for snacks, like these Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with Walnuts and Mint, Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates or Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Dates
🛒 Ingredients
Before we get to the full recipe for these nut-free coconut date logs, here are a few notes about the ingredients you'll need.
dates: Medjool dates are the best type of dates for this recipe. They're soft and squishy and they cook down into a date paste easily. You'll need 8 ounces (about 12 - 15 dates.)
sugar: dark brown sugar gives a rich, caramel flavour.
butter: adds to the richness of this candy
crisp rice cereal: Rice Krispies. I've tried this recipe with other puffed rice cereal unsuccessfully. It's tough and chewy, not crisp and crunchy.
coconut: finely shredded, unsweetened coconut adheres the best to the outside of these date rolls. The rolls are sweet enough and don't need sweetened coconut.
🔪 Instructions
- Pit the dates and chop each date into 6 to 8 pieces. Add butter and sugar to a heavy-bottomed saucepan along with the dates. Heat over low to medium heat until a thick paste forms, about 7 to 8 minutes. Watch carefully and lower the heat if necessary to prevent scorching.
- Remove from the heat and transfer to a glass bowl. Allow the mixture to cool slightly for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add the crisp rice cereal, a little at a time.
- Stir until evenly distributed.
- Lay the mixture on a sheet of parchment paper. Roll into two logs about eight inches long. Roll in finely shredded coconut (or leave plain).
- Wrap tightly with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Store in a tightly covered container.
🍽 Serving suggestions
Once chilled, cut into slices about ¼ to ⅓ inch thick. Warning: they're addictive and it's impossible to stop at one!
These make a pretty addition to a holiday cookie tray. They're also ideal to pack as treats for picnics or camping trips!
Package them for hostess or neighbour gifts! Wrap a log in plastic wrap or a cellophane bag and tie it with a festive ribbon. Homemade gifts from the kitchen are always appreciated!
⏰ Storage and freezing instructions
I love having cookies and bars I can make in advance and store in the freezer. This date log recipe is ideal as a make-ahead treat.
Wrap the logs tightly with the parchment paper you used for rolling them, then overwrap with plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. These date logs will last for a week or more. You can freeze them for 3 months or more.
Enjoy! And when you make this recipe for no-bake coconut date logs, please leave a comment and a rating below. I'd love to hear if you liked them, too. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox.
🗒More recipes for sweet treats
📖 Recipe
No-Bake Coconut Date Logs
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Medjool dates, pitted, (12- 15 dates)
- ¼ cup butter, or coconut oil
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- ¼ cup dessicated coconut, fine, unsweetened
Instructions
- Pit the dates and chop each date into 6 to 8 pieces.
- Add butter and sugar to a heavy-bottomed saucepan along with the dates.
- Heat over low to medium heat until a thick paste forms, about 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a glass bowl. Allow the mixture to cool slightly for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add the crisp rice cereal, a little at a time. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Lay the mixture on a sheet of parchment paper. Roll into two logs about eight inches long. Roll in finely shredded coconut (or leave plain).
- Wrap tightly with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Store in a tightly covered container.
- When you're ready to serve, slice the log into rounds about ⅓ to ¼ inch thick.
Emily
I made these on the weekend but had to freeze them to stop eating them! They're incredible!
Elaine
I know the feeling! Thanks for the 5 stars. So glad you like them too!
Laura Nessman
These are so satisfying!! Love they they can be frozen and brought out later
Elaine
Thanks Laura! That's a great way to describe these --so satisfying! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Margie
I saw this recipe come up on PInterest and I made it right away! Yes--I remember these from my childhood, too. They're yummy!