Date Balls

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup soft butter
• 1 cup (8 ounces) dates, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups crispy rice cereal
• 1-1/2 cups grated coconut or 2 cups confectioners’ sugar (optional)

Combine eggs, sugar, butter, dates, walnuts, and vanilla in a bowl and blend well. Turn into heavy skillet and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add cereal. Mix well. Cool. Shape into small balls by rolling dough in buttered hands. Roll each cookie to coat in coconut or confectioners’ sugar, if desired. Let set for 24 hours on wax paper for best flavor. Makes 24.