Date-filled Drop Cookies

Ingredients

2 c dates
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c water
1/2 c pecans
1 c shortening
2 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c buttermilk
1 ts vanilla
3 1/2 c sifted flour
1 ts salt
1 ts baking soda
1/4 ts cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs; beat well. Stir in buttermilk and vanilla; blend thoroughly. Sift flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon tgether. Add to creamed mixture; beat well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets; allow 2" between drops. Place 1/2 teaspoon of Filling on dough. Cover filling with another 1/2 teaspoon of dough. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned and test done. Remove to cooling racks. Makes 5 to 6 dozen. ----