No-Bake Strawberry Cookies

Name: No-Bake Strawberry Cookies
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: about 4 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 package (8 ounces) chopped dates; 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten; Dash salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1-1/2 cups rice cereal; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts; Red colored sugar; Green candied cherries or green confectioners' icing

These no-bake date and crisp rice cereal cookies are shaped into "strawberries" and topped with a colorful "stem". Serve them when you want to offer something fun and different.

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) chopped dates
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten
Dash salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups rice cereal
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Red colored sugar
Green candied cherries or green confectioners' icing

Directions

In a large skillet, combine the dates, coconut, sugar, butter, egg and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture thickens and reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla, cereal and walnuts. Cool for 10 minutes.
With slightly moistened fingers, shape tablespoonfuls into strawberry shapes; roll in red sugar. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Decorate tops with pieces of green candied cherries or pipe leaves on strawberry tops with green icing.