Mary's Date Filled Cookies

These cookies are so good, they are made by two generations and eaten by three. AKA Brown Sugar Drops

• Ready In: 18 mins
• Yields: 3-5 dozen

Ingredients

• Date Filling

• 2  cups  chopped dates
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 3⁄4 cup water
• 1⁄2 cup  nuts

• Cookie Part

• 1  cup shortening
• 3 1⁄2 cups flour
• 2  cups brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 2  eggs
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk

Directions

1. Mix all filling ingredients (except nuts) together over medium heat. Add nuts -- stirring constantly.
2. Once sugars are disolved and mixed with other ingredients, take off heat and let cool.
3. Mix shortening, sugar and eggs thoroughly. Stir in buttermilk. Sift in flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Let chill at least 1 hour.
5. Roll dough in ball and make a thumb print in center of the cookie. Add approx 1 tsp date filling in the hole, then cover top of filling with a small piece of dough patted down lightly.
6. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.