1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda

Cream shortening; add sugar and cream again; add egg and mix well. Add milk alternately with sifted flour mixture. Roll out on floured board to about 1/8 inch thickness and cut. Place on cookie sheet and drop 1 teaspoon date filling on each. Cover with a slit cut cookie.

FILLING:

2 c. chopped dates
1 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch
3/4 c. water
1 tsp. lemon extract

Boil the dates, cornstarch and water until thick and clear. Cool; add lemon extract. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Yield: 3 dozen cookies.