"Mature" Rice Crispy Treats (Date Balls)

Cute, round, and covered in coconut. YUM! The dates add a complex flavor to these snacks that really are reminiscent of a rice crispy treat! But these are so much better... 

These little balls of goodness are easy and fast, like 10 minutes fast.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups pitted and chopped dates
• 3 cups rice cereal
• About 3/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut and a 1/4 sweetened coconut (for rolling)

How-To:

1. In a small sauce pan, over medium-low heat, combine the margarine, sugar, and dates
2. Mix until a jam like consistency forms, about 5 minutes
3. Remove from heat and add into a medium sized mixing bowl along with the cereal, and combine
4. Spoon into balls and roll through the coconut. (This proved to be semi difficult because the mixture was still hot (ouch) and not totally sticky.) You do want to do this step quickly because they cool fast and you need the heat to form the balls and to make the coconut stick. 
5. Lay treats onto parchment paper to cool