fruit confections

This is something I 'created' many, many years ago when I was trying to make something out of dates that my (then) boyfriend was reluctant to eat. Very High Sugar Content.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Yields: 24-36 confections

Ingredients

• 1  lb confectioners' sugar, approx. (plus about a cup for rolling)
• 6  tablespoons  melted margarine or 6  tablespoons butter
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2  tablespoons  fruit juice (Orange Juice best but can use lemon, lime, pineapple or mango juice.)
• 3⁄4 cup  chopped  dried fruit (I prefer dates but can use any dried fruit)
• 3⁄4 cup  chopped  nuts (Walnuts or Pecans best but would work with anything)
• 1⁄3 cup flour

Directions

1. (My favorite combination is Orange Juice with Dates and Walnuts, but also good with Cranberries and Pecans, or use mango juice with dried pineapples and macadamia nuts for a tropical taste.) Grind nuts and then also mince dried fruit very, very finely in blender or food processor.
2. Set aside.
3. Mix together melted margerine/butter, vanilla, juice and confectioners' sugar.
4. Stir in ground nuts and fruit.
5. Stir in as much of the flour as needed to make a fairly stiff dough.
6. Turn dough out onto floured board and knead a few times to make sure all flour is integrated.
7. Will be VERY sticky.
8. Roll with floured rolling pin to about 1/2 inch thick (or as thick as desired) Cut into squares or diamonds with butter knife.
9. Roll each square or diamond in powdered sugar.
10. Let sit in cool spot or refrigerator until dry.