1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp. maraschino cherry juice
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
3/4 c. pecan meal (finely ground pecans)
3/4 c. chopped pecans
8 oz. chopped dates
1/2 c. chopped maraschino cherries

Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a large cookie sheet. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and beat well. Heat the cherry juice and stir the baking soda into it. Mixture will foam. Add to the creamed mixture and mix. In medium bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, cloves and pecan meal. Stir to mix. Add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the pecans, dates, and cherries. Drop from a teaspoon onto cookie sheet.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned.

Makes about 6 dozen.