2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. sweet milk
7 c. flour (approximate)
4 tsp. cream of tartar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix first 4 ingredients together. Sift together flour, cream of tartar, and soda and add to first mixture; add vanilla. Roll out on board. Cut out with cookie cutters.

FILLING:

1 c. cold water
2 tbsp. flour
Juice of 1 lemon
1/3 c. sugar

Add cold water gradually to flour; mix in sugar and lemon juice. Add dates; cook until thick. Cool. Put 1 teaspoon filling on bottom. Cover with another top. With your thumb, press an indentation in cookie's center. Sprinkle with colored sugar appropriate for the season. Bake 12 minutes at 375 degrees.