Hello, Good News! Welcome to another article where we share with you some of the best recipes from around the world. Today, we are going to show you how to make humdingers, a delicious date and rice krispies treat that is easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
Humdingers are a type of candy that consists of butter, sugar, dates, nuts, vanilla, and rice krispies. They are rolled into balls and coated with powdered sugar or coconut. Humdingers are chewy, crunchy, sweet, and nutty. They are also known as date balls, date nut balls, or date krispies.
What are the origins of humdingers?
Humdingers are a traditional American dessert that dates back to the early 20th century. The exact origin of humdingers is unknown, but some sources suggest that they were invented by a woman named Helen Humdinger in New York City in the 1920s[^1^]. She was known for her creative and delicious recipes that used simple ingredients. She named her signature candy after herself and sold them at her bakery.
Another possible origin of humdingers is that they were inspired by the Middle Eastern dessert called ma’amoul, which is a pastry filled with dates and nuts. Ma’amoul is a popular treat during Ramadan and other religious festivals. Some immigrants from the Middle East may have adapted the recipe to use rice krispies instead of pastry dough and created humdingers[^2^].
Why are humdingers called humdingers?
The word humdinger means something that is remarkable, outstanding, or excellent. It is an informal term that originated in the late 19th century in America. It may have derived from the word hummer, which means something that makes a humming sound or something that moves fast[^3^]. Humdinger may also be a combination of humbug and dinger, which are both slang words for something impressive or deceptive[^4^].
Humdingers are called humdingers because they are very tasty and satisfying. They are also easy to make and store well. They can be enjoyed as a snack, a dessert, or a gift. Humdingers are also versatile and can be customized with different nuts, spices, or coatings. Humdingers are truly humdingers!
How popular are humdingers?
Humdingers are very popular among people who love dates and rice krispies. They are especially popular during the holidays, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter. Humdingers are often served at parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. They are also a great way to use up leftover dates or rice krispies.
Humdingers have been featured in many cookbooks, magazines, and websites over the years. They have also been adapted to suit different dietary preferences, such as vegan, gluten-free, or sugar-free. Humdingers are a classic American candy that has stood the test of time.
How to make humdingers?
Making humdingers is very simple and fun. You only need a few ingredients and tools to create these yummy treats. Here is a basic recipe for humdingers that you can follow:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Butter | 1/2 cup (1 stick) |
| Sugar | 2/3 cup |
| Dates | 8 ounces (chopped) |
| Eggs | 2 (beaten) |
| Milk | 2 tablespoons |
| Nuts | 1 cup (chopped) |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Rice krispies | 4 cups |
| Powdered sugar or coconut | As needed (for coating) |
To make humdingers, follow these steps:
- Melt butter and sugar in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring for about 2 minutes.
- Add chopped dates and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the dates are soft and the mixture is smooth.
- In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Gradually add some of the hot date mixture to the egg mixture, stirring constantly to temper the eggs. Then pour the egg mixture back into the skillet and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in nuts, vanilla, and rice krispies. Mix well until everything is well combined.
- Let the mixture cool slightly before shaping into balls. You can use a tablespoon or a cookie scoop to measure out the mixture. Roll the balls in your hands and then coat them with powdered sugar or coconut. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Refrigerate the humdingers until firm, about an hour. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Enjoy your humdingers!
What are some variations of humdingers?
Humdingers are very adaptable and can be modified to suit your taste and preferences. Here are some ideas for variations of humdingers that you can try:
Chocolate humdingers
If you love chocolate, you can add some cocoa powder or chocolate chips to the date mixture. You can also use chocolate rice krispies or chocolate cereal instead of regular rice krispies. For the coating, you can use chocolate sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or melted chocolate.
Spicy humdingers
If you like some heat, you can add some cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom to the date mixture. You can also use pecans, walnuts, or pistachios instead of nuts. For the coating, you can use cinnamon sugar, chopped nuts, or candied ginger.
Tropical humdingers
If you want a tropical twist, you can add some pineapple, mango, or coconut to the date mixture. You can also use macadamia nuts, cashews, or almonds instead of nuts. For the coating, you can use shredded coconut, chopped dried fruits, or granola.
FAQs about humdingers
Are humdingers vegan?
Humdingers are not vegan because they contain butter, eggs, and milk. However, you can make them vegan by using vegan butter, flax eggs, and plant-based milk instead. You can also use vegan sugar and vanilla extract.
Are humdingers gluten-free?
Humdingers are gluten-free because they do not contain any wheat or flour. However, you should check the labels of your ingredients to make sure they are gluten-free. Some rice krispies or cereals may contain traces of gluten.
Are humdingers healthy?
Humdingers are not very healthy because they contain a lot of sugar and fat. However, they do have some nutritional benefits from the dates and nuts. Dates are rich in fiber, potassium, iron, and antioxidants. Nuts are high in protein, healthy fats, and minerals. Humdingers can be enjoyed as an occasional treat in moderation.
How long do humdingers last?
Humdingers can last for up to a week in the refrigerator or up to a month in the freezer. You should store them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag to prevent them from drying out or absorbing odors. You can thaw them at room temperature before eating.
How many calories are in a humdinger?
A humdinger has about 100 calories per piece, depending on the size and ingredients. A typical recipe makes about 50 pieces of humdingers. One serving of humdingers is about 2 pieces.
Can I make humdingers without dates?
You can make humdingers without dates by using other dried fruits instead. You can use raisins, cranberries, apricots, figs, prunes, or cherries. You may need to adjust the amount of sugar and liquid depending on the sweetness and moisture of the dried fruits.
Can I make humdingers without rice krispies?
You can make humdingers without rice krispies by using other cereals instead. You can use corn flakes, oatmeal, granola, puffed rice, or quinoa. You may need to adjust the amount of butter and sugar depending on the texture and flavor of the cereals.
Can I make humdingers in the microwave?
You can make humdingers in the microwave by following these steps:
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter and sugar. Microwave for about 2 minutes or until melted and bubbly.
- Add chopped dates and microwavefor another 2 minutes or until the dates are soft and the mixture is smooth.
- In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Gradually add some of the hot date mixture to the egg mixture, stirring constantly to temper the eggs. Then pour the egg mixture back into the bowl and microwave for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Stir in nuts, vanilla, and rice krispies. Mix well until everything is well combined.
- Proceed with shaping, coating, and refrigerating the humdingers as in the original recipe.
Can I make humdingers in the oven?
You can make humdingers in the oven by following these steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sugar, stirring for about 2 minutes.
- Add chopped dates and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the dates are soft and the mixture is smooth.
- In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Gradually add some of the hot date mixture to the egg mixture, stirring constantly to temper the eggs. Then pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in nuts, vanilla, and rice krispies. Mix well until everything is well combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
- Let the mixture cool completely before cutting into bars. You can also sprinkle some powdered sugar or coconut on top if desired. Enjoy your humdingers!
Can I make humdingers with marshmallows?
You can make humdingers with marshmallows by following these steps:
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter and marshmallows. Microwave for about 3 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 15 seconds.
- Add chopped dates and nuts and stir well.
- Add vanilla and rice krispies and stir well until everything is well coated.
- Proceed with shaping, coating, and refrigerating the humdingers as in the original recipe.
Can I make humdingers with peanut butter?
You can make humdingers with peanut butter by following these steps:
- In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter and peanut butter, stirring until smooth.
- Add sugar and dates and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the dates are soft and the mixture is thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and rice krispies. Mix well until everything is well combined.
- Proceed with shaping, coating, and refrigerating the humdingers as in the original recipe.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to make humdingers, a delicious date and rice krispies treat. Humdingers are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. You can also try different variations of humdingers to suit your taste and preferences. Humdingers are a great way to use up leftover dates or rice krispies. They are also a great gift for your friends and family.
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