Cherry Date Cookies
Country Woman Christmas
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My mother made these festive drop cookies as far back as I can remember-80 years at least. We called them "the Christmas cookies", maybe because they're so full of fruit and nuts.
SERVINGS: 63
CATEGORY: Dessert
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep/Total Time: 25 min. + cooling
Ingredients:
- 1 cup shortening
- 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons hot water
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup chopped dates
- 1/2 cup quartered maraschino cherries
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with water. Stir in walnuts, dates and cherries.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-9 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 10-1/2 dozen. Editor's Note: To make 5 dozen larger cookies, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9-10 minutes.