DATE RUM BALLS
3 dozen


1 c  Butter or margarine (1/2 lbs  - or 2 sticks)
1 1/2 c  Pecans; chopped
2 c  Rice Krispies cereal
1 c  Sugar                           
1 1/2 tb Rum (or use 1 tsp. vanilla)
1/4 ts Salt                                     
Confectioners' sugar, opt'l
1    (8 oz) box pitted dates,  chopped     

  Melt butter or margarine in a pan.  Add sugar, salt and dates. Cook,
  stirring, until smooth and thick. Remove from heat and stir in nuts, Rice
  Krispies, and rum or vanilla. Stir well. Let cool and form into balls. Roll
  in confectioners' sugar, if you like. Keep in covered container. Yield:
  Makes about 3 dozen.