Coconut-Date Balls

1 pkg. (8 oz.) pitted dates
1 c. sugar
1/3 c. butter
2 tbsp. orange marmalade
2 eggs, well beaten
3 c. crisp rice cereal
2 c. flaked coconut (plus extra for rolling)
1 c. pecans or walnuts, chopped

· In saucepan, mix together dates, sugar, butter, marmalade, and eggs with fork.
· Cook over low heat until dates are dissolved and mixture begins to thicken.
· Set aside to cool.
· Stir in cereal, 2 cups coconut and pecans.
· With buttered hands, shape in 1-inch balls, roll in coconut, and place on waxed paper to set.
· Store air-tight between layers of waxed paper.
· Makes about 6 dozen.

submitted by Janis Hopper
Janis starting making the same Christmas goodies every year when her children were very small. They became family traditions. The traditions carried over, and I started making them for my own family’s Christmas celebration.