Crunchy Date and Coconut Balls

Ingredients

• Dates - 1 cup
• Butter - 1/2 cup
• Sugar - 1/2 cup
• Desiccated coconut - 1 1/2 cup
• Corn flakes - 2 cup
• Cashew nuts - 1/2 cup
• Egg - 1 whole
• Vanilla essence - 1 tsp

Instructions

1. 1If your dates have pits, remove them; then chop the dates into small pieces so they break down evenly when heated.
2. 2In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped dates, butter, sugar, cashew nuts, egg and vanilla essence until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. 3Heat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, add the date mixture and stir constantly so the butter melts and the mixture cooks evenly.
4. 4Continue stirring until the sugar starts to melt, then remove the pan from the heat and transfer the mixture to a bowl to cool slightly.
5. 5When the mixture is cool enough to handle, crush the corn flakes by hand or in a bag and fold them into the date mixture until everything is well combined.
6. 6Shape the mixture into balls using your hands, then roll each ball in the desiccated coconut so they are evenly coated.
7. 7Refrigerate the balls for 1 hour or until firm so they hold their shape.
8. 8Store the chilled balls in an air-tight container; serve chilled as a snack or pack them in lunchboxes if you like.