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    Home » Desserts

    Holiday Date Roll

    Published: Dec 11, 2014 · Modified: Dec 14, 2021 by Keri Hix

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    date roll graphic for pintetest.

    Every Christmas, my mom loved to make this date and marshmallow log that she called Holiday Date Roll. This old-fashioned date roll recipe is a delicious Christmastime candy and is simple to prepare.

    I have seen other similar date roll recipes that include nuts, but I don't recall my mom using them. She used marshmallows, dates, graham crackers, a bit of cream, and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Yum!

    two powdered sugar covered date rolls on a white rectangle platter.

    Even though this recipe is simple to make, it does take a bit of time. After the rolls are made, set them in the refrigerator overnight before serving. This helps give the ingredients time to bind together.

    Table of contents
    • Ingredients needed
    • Step-by-Step Directions
    • Other recipes you might like
    • Faq's and tips
    • Recipe

    I loved to help make this Holiday Date Roll when I was young. Mom would put the ingredients in a big bowl and let my brother and I use our hands to squish everything together.

    Remember, dates are sticky. This recipe can get a little messy. But that is half the fun.

    Ingredients needed

    a labeled photo of ingredients needed to make date candy.
    • Mini-marshmallows - If you use large marshmallows, cut them into small pieces.
    • Chopped dates - Remove the pits and chop the dates into small pieces, about the size of the mini marshmallows.
    • Crushed graham crackers - You can use a food processor or put them in a Zip-loc bag and crush them with a rolling pin. This recipe will need about 16 - 18 graham crackers.
    • Water - The water will need to be hot.
    • Cream - You can use cream or half 'n half.
    • Powdered sugar - Only a small amount of powdered sugar is needed to dust the rolls in the final step of this recipe.

    See the printable recipe card below for ingredient amounts and complete directions on making this holiday treat.

    Step-by-Step Directions

    Chopped dates in a glass measuring cup.

    Step 1 - Put the chopped dates in a bowl (or measuring cup as shown) and add hot water. Stir well.

    Put the marshmallows in a bowl and add the cream. Stir well. Let these ingredients set for several minutes.

    The liquid will pretty much be soaked up into the dates and marshmallows.

    Chopped dates, mini marshmallows, and crushed grahman crackers in a large bowl.

    Step 2 - Put the marshmallows that have been in cream, the dates soaked in water, and most of the graham crackers in a large bowl. Reserve ¼ cup of the graham crackers for later. Mix this well.

    You may want to use your hands, like when you make meatloaf. This is something that the kids might enjoy doing to help with this recipe.

    Date roll mixture in a large bowl next to a piece of parchment sprinkled with graham crackers.

    Step 3 - Put out a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. Sprinkle the parchment paper with the graham cracker crumbs that were reserved earlier.

    Two rolled date roll logs setting side by side on parchment paper.

    Step 4 - Form the date mixture into one large or two smaller logs. Roll them into the graham crackers and shape them the best you can.

    Date rolls being rolled in plastic wrap.

    Step 5 - Use some plastic wrap and tightly wrap the date roll/s. You can continue to shape the rolls once they are wrapped in plastic.

    Refrigerate the date rolls overnight.

    Powdered sugar being sprinkled over prepared date rolls.

    Step 6 -Remove the date candy roll from the plastic and dust lightly with powdered sugar. You can now slice and serve the Holiday Date Roll.

    two date rolls on a white platter.

    Other recipes you might like

    • Kiss Crinkle Cookies
    • Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon
    • Spiced Cranberry Skillet Cake
    • Easter Graham Cracker Crack

    Faq's and tips

    What kind of dates are best in this recipe?

    I love Medjool dates! They are the kind I usually use.

    Do I need to let the date roll set overnight?

    Letting the rolls set overnight is how my mom wrote the recipe and how I have always done it. I think the roll would be a little bit harder to handle and may not slice as well if you were to cut into it immediately.

    Can I cut this recipe in half?

    I don't see any problem with reducing the size of this recipe.

    How do I store the date candy?

    Store the date roll in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.

    Find all my recipes on Pinterest at Cook This Again. Or on Facebook at Cook This Again. 

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Recipe

    slice date candy on a white platter.

    Holiday Date Roll

    Delicious old-fashioned date roll recipe. This Holiday Date Roll is made with dates, marshmallows, graham crackers, cream, and a bit of powdered sugar.
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Refrigerate: 1 day
    Total Time: 1 day 20 minutes
    Servings: 15 Servings
    Calories: 191kcal
    Author: Keri Hix

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¾ cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
    • 1 lb. Medjool Dates pitted and cut into small pieces
    • 3 cups Marshmallows mini
    • 3 tablespoons Cream or half 'n half
    • 3 tablespoons Hot Water
    • ¼ cup Powdered Sugar

    Instructions

    • Remove the pits from the dates if needed. Chop the dates into small bite-size pieces.
    • Put the chopped dates in a bowl and add hot water. Stir well.
    • Put the marshmallows in a bowl and add the cream. Stir well.
    • Let the dates and marshmallows set for several minutes. The liquid will be pretty much soaked up into the dates and marshmallows.
    • Crush the graham crackers with a food processor or place them in a Zip-loc bag and use a rolling pin.
    • Reserve ¼ cup of the graham crackers for later.
    • Put 1 ½ cups of the graham crackers in a large bowl. Add the marshmallows soaked in cream and the dates that were soaked in water. Mix this together well.
    • Put out a piece of wax paper or parchment paper. Sprinkle the paper with the graham cracker crumbs that were reserved from earlier.
    • Form the date mixture into one large or two smaller logs. Roll them into the graham crackers and shape them the best you can.
    • Use some plastic wrap and tightly wrap the roll/s. You can continue to shape the rolls once they are wrapped in the plastic. Refrigerate the rolls over night.
    • Remove the rolls from the plastic and dust lightly with powdered sugar. You can now slice and serve the Holiday Date Roll.
    • Store the old-fashioned date roll in the refrigerator covered in plastic wrap.

    Notes

    This recipe can be easily cut in half.
     
    Get the kids involved. They will love to help mix the ingredients and form the date rolls. 
    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 231mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CookThisAgain or tag #cookthisagainmom!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jean

      November 14, 2022 at 10:13 am

      My mother added red and green cherries and walnuts, and rolled the logs in fine coconut.
      How long can these be stored in the fridge?

      Reply
      • Keri Hix

        November 21, 2022 at 6:55 pm

        I have kept date roll in the refrigerator and snacked on it for a couple of weeks. Of course, if it appears to show signs of spoilage, discard it.

        Reply
    2. Gayla

      January 03, 2022 at 9:21 am

      Just finished making this! So excited to find this recipe. My grandmother used to make something very similar--she called it "ice box cake." Looking forward to sharing it with my kids and grandkids.

      Reply
    3. Don T

      October 11, 2021 at 9:51 am

      Except for the powdered sugar this is almost exactly my family recipe from over 100 years ago. I lie adding the powdered sugar coat. That would stop the messy outside. We always served with a dollop of whipped cream on top of a slice. make it your own with holiday candied fruits and you can even make it into a quick no bake fruit cake roll.

      Reply
      • Cook This Again Mom

        October 12, 2021 at 7:02 pm

        Thank you for the comment. I love old family recipes. My mom made this date roll since way before I was born!

        Reply
    4. Dan Overcash

      December 13, 2020 at 12:03 pm

      This is a family favorite. It came from my sisters mother’s family. Dad had my mom make it. Since they have all passed, my Sis makes it to share. Our recipe is a little different as we add candied Ted and green cherries, candied pineapple. It’s wonderful and very colorful just like Christmas.

      Reply
    5. Cook This Again

      December 16, 2014 at 7:33 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

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