YIELD: A heck of a lot! (4 1/2 - 5 dozen)

Ingredients

* 1 cup gingersnaps (see substitution ideas below)

* 1 cup coarsely chopped Brazil nuts or almonds (see substitutions below)

* 3/4 cup walnuts

* 1 cup confectioner' sugar

* 1 cup flour

* 1 1/2 cup pitted dates

* 1 1/2 cup golden raisins

* 1 tsp ground cinnamon

* 1 tsp fresh grated nutmeg

* 1/4 cup rum

* 1/4 cup light corn syrup

Procedure

* In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter, add Brazil nuts, almonds and walnuts. Cook 3-4 minutes stirring frequently until golden.

* Add sugar and flour. Cook 5-7 minutes stir constantly until mixture is golden brown. Watch it carefully so it doesn't burn. Don't text, don't try and clean the counters - seriously, watch this so it doesn't burn.

* Remove from heat and let cool in another bowl for at least 30 minutes. (Now you can clean your counters.)

* Stir dates, raisins, gingersnap crumbs, cinnamon and nutmeg into cooled nut mixture.

* In another bowl stir rum and corn syrup to blend.

* Stir in the candy mixture until thoroughly moistened.

* Roll,mixture by level teaspoonfuls into balls.

* Place each ball in a foil bon bon cup or on a paper.

* Sprinkle lightly with sugar if you wish.

* Store in tightly covered container at LEAST 24 hours. This is what makes these killer - STORING THEM! These keep about 2 weeks.