1/2 c. butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
4 1/2 c. sifted cake flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. cut up dates
1 c. chopped nuts

Combine butter, eggs, and sugar; cream well. Stir in sifted dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk. Add vanilla, dates, and nuts, mixing thoroughly. Chill dough several hours or overnight. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Frost while warm with Burnt Butter Icing. Recipe follows.

Burnt Butter Icing: Melt 6 tablespoons butter in pan until golden brown. Remove pan from heat. Add 1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar. Add 2 tablespoons hot water and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir until glossy and of spreading consistency. Frost cookies.