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Date Skillet Cookie

Long-forgotten retro cookie
Course Cookies
Cuisine American
Keyword cookies

Ingredients

  • 2 each large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 8 ounces chopped dates
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups puffed rice cereal like Rice Krispies
  • 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecan preferably toasted

Instructions

  • prep the sheet pan - line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment or a silicone baking mat
  • Cook the eggs, sugar, and dates. Grab a large heavy-bottomed, deep skillet. It needs to be big enough to mix in all of the cereal later.
  • Off the heat, crack the eggs into the skillet. Add the sugar and salt and beat with a whisk until combined. Add the chopped dates.
  • Set the skillet over medium heat and keep everything moving constantly with the whisk or a big heat resistant spatula as the mixture heats up. After 3 to 6 minutes, the mixture will begin to get foamy. Eventually the dates will soften and begin to fall apart, creating a paste. Steam will rise from the skillet and the whisk will leave a distinct trail in the cooking date mixture. Once it comes to a boil, cook for 1 full minute, still whisking constantly.
  • Pull the skillet from the heat. Add the butter and vanilla and whisk until the butter is melted and fully incorporated.
  • MIx in the cereal . Switch to a large, sturdy wooden spoon and mix until the cereal is fully coated in the date mixture. Caution - the mixture will be hot and might burn if splashed on skin.
  • Portion the cookies. Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon and place them on the prepared pan. They don't need to be perfect since you will roll them later.
  • Roll the cookies in the coconut (and chopped pecans, if using) in a wide shallow bowl. One at a time, gingerly pickup the balls and roll them in the coconut to coat. Then roll gently in your palms for a moment to get them nice and round. Set the coated cookies back on the baking sheet.
  • You can enjoy these right away, but they are better after they have a few hours to set up. All ow the cookies to cool fully before you store the. They will keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 1 month.

Notes

If you chopped your own dates, they many wnat to hold their shape. You can mash them in the skillet with a potato masher to get them to break down more.