CONTEST SNACKS: Bumble Bees Krispies

BUMBLE BEES KRISPIES (no cooking)
By BumbleBeeBoogie

1-11/2 sticks of butter
1-1/2 cups dates, snipped into small dice
1 cup granulated white sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest, minced
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1/2 cup finely chopped raw almonds or pecans
1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut

In a large saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, vanilla, dates, lemon zest and egg; bring slowly to the boil. Boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; add the chopped nuts, then the Rice Krispie cereal, and mix well. Cool.

Place the coconut in a shallow pie pan.

Take a teaspoon of the cooled mixture and form a ball by rolling it in the palms of your hands. Roll the ball in the coconut to coat. Place the ball on a tray. Repeat until all of the mixture is used. Refrigerate for a least 1 hour. Store in airtight container or sealable plastic bag in the refrigerator.