Date-Filled Drop Cookies

Date filling: 2 c Dates; finely chopped

3/4 c Sugar

3/4 c Water

1/2 c Chopped pecans or walnuts

Cookies: 1 c Shortening

2 c Brown sugar; firmly packed

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

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. -----