This Date Nut Roll brings me directly back to my childhood. I remember watching my grandpa roll this on the kitchen counter every holiday when we visited.
Crushed graham crackers, marshmallows, dates, pecans, and a splash of cream: none of these ingredients are remarkable on their own, but when combined they become something special.
Date Nut Roll
I can’t recall another occasion for which my grandpa ever worked in the kitchen. However, making the Date Nut Roll was his domain every Christmas. He passed away when I was just ten years old and I hadn’t thought of his Date Nut Roll in years.
When I found this recipe last year and made it for the first time as an adult, it was like I was standing in my grandparents’ kitchen once again.
Some food memories stick with us more than others, and I am so glad I have this one to pass on to my boys.
Date Nut Roll Recipe
- Place the graham cracker crumbs, marshmallows, dates, and pecans in a mixing bowl and toss to coat everything in the crumbs.
- Slowly add the cream, a couple of tablespoons at a time, stirring to combine. Add liquid just until the mixture is wet enough to hold together when you press it with a spoon.
- Spread two large sheets of parchment or wax paper on the counter and divide the mixture on top of them. Press it into a log with your hands and sprinkle lightly with the remaining crumbs to coat all around.
- Roll it tightly in the paper, smoothing the shape as you go. Twist the ends tightly and chill until firm, at least 2-6 hours. Slice into pieces with a very sharp knife. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
I’m all about easy no-bake treats for some of my holiday treat-making. As much as I love cookies and fancier holiday desserts, sometimes it’s just plain fun to pull together a whole bunch of delicious treats in very little time.
With just a few of these options, you can have platters of Christmas goodies at your fingertips to deliver to friends or share at a party.
I’m not exaggerating when I say this Peanut Butter Fudge is one of the best fudges I’ve ever tasted. Rich, creamy, over-the-top fudge that is so easy to make, you might laugh.
No-Bake Cookies have met their match with these Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Bites. It doesn’t get much easier than just stirring everything together and pouring it into a pan.
Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Ritz Cookies are the sweet, salty, chocolatey snack you need in your life. With zero baking required and just three ingredients–chocolate, Ritz crackers, and peanut butter–they’re a perfect last-minute addition to your holiday cookie tray or party menu.
Grandpa’s Date Nut Roll
Ingredients
- 12 full size graham crackers pulsed into crumbs in the blender or food processor, reserve 2 tablespoons for coating
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 cups finely chopped dates
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- ½ – 2/3 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Place the graham cracker crumbs, marshmallows, dates, and pecans in a mixing bowl and toss to coat everything in the crumbs. Slowly add the cream, a couple tablespoons at a time, stirring to combine. Add liquid just until the mixture is wet enough to hold together when you press it with a spoon.
- Spread two large sheets of parchment or wax paper on the counter and divide the mixture on top of them. Press it into a log with your hands and sprinkle lightly with the remaining crumbs to coat all around. Roll it tightly in the paper, smoothing the shape as you go. Twist the ends tightly and chill until firm, at least 2-6 hours. Slice into pieces with a very sharp knife. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
{originally published 9/18/14 – recipe notes updated 11/10/22}
Dianacbruening says
I was so happy to find you a gram cracker date log my stepmother made them over 25 years ago maybe 30 years and I love them and I just typed in the ingredients and that this came thank you for being there I am a very happy grandma now myself
Mary says
I’m so happy to hear this! I hope it tastes just like you remember.
Diane Councilman says
My grandmother made similar version. She used walnuts, raisins, and cut up candy orange slices along with the mini marshmallows. I have not had it in years. I remember it was one of my favorites at the holidays.
Tracy says
My family has is same receipt, it is one of my favorites. I always wondered where it could have come from. What culture it could be.
Sharon Morales Hebein says
OMG!!! I can’t wait to try this tomorrow. My mom use make
Something like this… I am hoping this recipe is it. Thank you!
Sharon Morales Hebein says
OMG!!! I can’t wait to try this tomorrow. My mom use make
Something like this at Christmas time. It was my brother’s favorite. They have both past away. I am hoping this recipe is it. Thank you!
Janet says
My mother made this exact recipe every Christmas and would give logs as gifts. I think the only difference was cutting up large marshmallows so they’d be stickier. She was from South Carolina and pecans (pee-CANS) were plentiful.
Shandelle says
Omgosh! When I was a kid my siblings and I would make this recipe with our mother every Christmas. I have never known anyone that has made these. We use to call them Date Nut Logs, I believe my mother got the recipe from her mother when she was young, sooo yummy!
Mary Younkin says
I love hearing the memories people have for this holiday recipe, Shandelle!
Paula says
My great-grandmother made this and it became a holiday favorite. The difference was that we used large marshmallows cut up and the pecans were chopped very small. Everything was mixed until you couldn’t tell what the ingredients were….many a mixer motor was burned out from this recipe. A few years ago I made it using fresh dates.. The flavor remained but it couldn’t be rolled into a log as the dates were so juicy. We all devoured it putting a dollop of whipped cream on top and sprinkling crushed graham crackers on top. I’m making it for Thanksgiving this year as all the siblings will be together for the first time in a long time.
Mary Younkin says
I love that you remember this recipe too, Paula.
Lori says
Thank you for sharing! Your Grandpa Date Roll is so awesome! Our Grandma made it for us every time we went camping! My oldest sister had our Grandma write it down so we would have it! So many great memories having those date rolls! She would put it in the freezer and then she said we have to let it thaw out! OMG! We like to eat it cold and not all the way thawed out! Lori
Mary Younkin says
Awe! I love that you have such happy memories of the date roll too. I’ll have to try it frozen next time.
Peggy says
I have searched for this recipe for years. As so many others have said, this takes me back to my long past childhood when my mother made these. Thank you so much for sharing.
Mary Younkin says
oh, I LOVE hearing that others remember this recipe too, Peggy. Enjoy the date nut roll!
Paula says
Love date roll! My grandma used to make this years ago. Only difference is that her recipe called for adding chopped maraschino cherries. I took over making the date roll when she no longer could and we still have it every year at Christmas. And every year I wonder why I only make it once a year!
Mary Younkin says
I love hearing the memories that everyone has with this old fashioned dessert, Paula!
Rexene Olson says
When my sister and I were little my mother made date rolls every Christmas. When she was done making the date rolls instead of letting my sister and me lick the bowl we each got a hand. Sounds a little weird now, but we looked forward to the tradition every year!!! I make the date rolls now and lick my own fingers!!!
Mary Younkin says
Awe. This is such a sweet memory, Rexene.
Jackie Cicora says
My mother always made this. My neighbor and I discovered , warm a slice in the microwave until the marshmallows soften and serve with whipped cream. Totally wonderful. I just made your recipe.
Thanks
Mary Younkin says
Oh!!! I love that idea, Jackie. I’m going to warm a slice tomorrow and try that. Thank you!
Carole says
Missing my mom this morning and came across this recipe. I remember her making these in my childhood. After a good cry I am going to make these and eat them in her memory. Thank you for sharing.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so sorry for your loss, Carole. I love that we share this memory of the recipe. Praying a good day for you today.
Julie says
I just went through my grandmother’s recipes and typed on a doctor’s note pad was just the ingredients with amounts and the title said “WHAT DO YOU CALL IT?” The proportions are different (3c graham crackers, 1 1/2c chopped dates, 1c nuts, 3c marshmallows, 1/2c cream) and it also includes 1 small can crushed pineapple. Thankfully when I googled the ingredients, your recipe popped up. My recipe has to be from the late 60s as that’s when they retired and moved to another city. Thanks for posting!
Mary Younkin says
Awe, I love that we share this recipe memory, Julie!
PC says
My mother in law made this for years only she used marshmallow creme and instead of dates maraschino cherries.
Mary Younkin says
I love the different memories everyone has of these recipe!
Irene says
Just like what my mom made every Christmas just made some today. Brings back happy memory when the world is have a crisis. Thank you for posting recipe through I had lost it for ever.
Mary Younkin says
I love that we share such great memories of this recipe, Irene.
Cheryl says
My mom made these many times and I loved them as a kid. I’ve thought about them for many years. She was from Vermilion SD. I know many have written this was one of their Christmas cookies. Im Jewish so I find it interesting to know the origin of this cookie.
My new boyfriend is in the date business and gave me a 5 lb box of Medjool dates. So I looked up this recipe. I added chocolate chips (FYI I buy the big bag from Costco bc I make many cc cookies and it’s a great flavored chip)
As much as I love these rolls I always felt something missing. The chip did the trick! I bet the butterscotch would be good too!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you love the date nut roll too, Cheryl! I bet it’s awesome with chocolate.
Nancy Barter says
I cannot thank you enough for posting this!!! My own momma used to make this and I haven’t been able to find or remember the recipe and it’s been 30yrs. This so wonderful to be able to make it on my own now. It was my favorite and my momma thought if she froze it that it would be to hard for me to cut some off.. ( NOPE) a sharp knife n press n wiggle n there ya go! Well I will always have some in my freezer now n when I’m missin momma n pop I will get a sharp knife n press n wiggle.. •¿~ then set n daydream about the way it was.
Mary Younkin says
Awe. I love this memory. I’m so glad you love the date nut roll too!
Judith says
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. My mom made this every Christmas. The only difference is she used Milnot (canned milk) instead of heavy cream. Thanks again.
Mary Younkin says
I love that we share a memory of this treat, Judith.
Ruth says
I would love to try this – it sounds scrumptious! I live in France and don’t have access to graham crackers so could you please post the approximate weight of the 12 graham crackers listed in the ingredients so that I can use an equivalent biscuit? Many thanks, Mary.
Mary Younkin says
1 full sheet graham cracker = 14–16g, or about ½ an ounce. 12 full sheets = 168–192g. I hope that helps, Ruth!
L says
Our family’s favorite as well! Thank you for sharing the recipe now I have actual measurements to pass on 🙂
Mary Younkin says
I am so excited to hear another family has this tradition!