No-Bake Coconut Date Logs without Nuts

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.

• 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

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.

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!

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.