Candied Pumpkin Dandies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/4 cup flaked coconut (lightly packed)
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• finely chopped walnuts or peanuts

Directions:

In a large heavy saucepan, combine every ingredient, Except nuts; mix well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, about every 15 to 20 minutes. Candy is done when it becomes very thick and leaves the side of the pan, forming a ball in the center when stirred. Turn mixture onto a buttered baking sheet; cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap. Cool completely. Lightly butter hands and shape candy into balls; roll in chopped nuts. Top each with a walnut or candied cherry half, if desired. Cover and store in refrigerator. Yields about 2 1/2 dozen candies.

For a crunchier candy, stir in 1 cup crushed granola into cooked candy before cooling and shaping.

By Terri