1 c. shortening
2 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
3-1/2 c. Gold Medal flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1-1/2 c. broken pecans
2 c. candied cherries
2 c. cut-up dates
1 tsp. almond flavoring

Mix shortening, sugar and eggs well. Stir in milk. Blend dry ingredients; stir in. Add flavoring. Stir in pecans, cherries and dates. Chill at least 1 hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough about 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Place a pecan half on each cookie if desired. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until almost no imprint remains when touched lightly. Makes about 8 dozen cookies. They keep beautifully, actually improving with storing.

NOTE: If you use self-rising flour, omit soda and salt.