1 c. shortening
2 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
3 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 c. broken pecans
2 c. chopped cherries
2 c. chopped dates

Combine shortening, sugar, eggs and buttermilk; beat well. Sift dry ingredients together; stir into shortening mixture. Mix in pecans, cherries and dates.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets, spacing about an inch apart. Bake in preheated 300 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Cool in cake rack and store in airtight container. Yield 6-7 dozen.