1/2 c. shortening
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. buttermilk
1 3/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped dates (8 oz.), optional
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 c. candied cherries (4 oz) red (4 oz.) green
pecan halves

Thoroughly mix shortening, sugar and egg. Stir in buttermilk. Combine dry ingredients and add. Stir in pecans, dates and cherries. Chill. Drop teaspoons 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Top with pecan half.

Bake at 400°F for approximately 8 minutes. Do not over brown.

Yield: Approximately 4 dozen.