Date Crisp Balls

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup dates, finely chopped
• 2 cups crisp rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies
• 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 1 cup flaked sweetened or dessicated (unsweetened) coconut

1. In a small, heavy saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the sugar.
2. Add the egg and combine, stirring until warmed through, about a minute.
3. Add the dates and increase heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick, 5-7 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add the crisp rice cereal and nuts if using. Stir until the cereal completely coated.
5. When the mixture is cool enough to handle but still very warm, shape heaping teaspoons of the mixture into cohesive balls between the palms of your hands. Roll in coconut (it will only lightly coat the balls, not completely, which allows for a nice balance of flavors).
6. Cool, then store in an airtight container.

butter, sugar, egg, dates, crisp rice, walnuts, coconut

Taken from food52.com/recipes/21583-date-crisp-balls (may not work)