1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. cut-up dried apricots or dates
1/3 c. chopped pecans
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
2 c. whole wheat flake cereal with raisins
About 3 dozen pecan halves

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients except cereal and pecan halves. Fold in cereal, 1 cup at a time.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2" apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Top each cookie with a pecan half, pressing lightly. Bake until delicate brown, 10 to 12 minutes. About 3 dozen cookies.

Pecan-Fruit Drops: Substitute 1/3 cup mixed candied fruit for the apricots.