Drop-Filled Date Cookies

I have memories of winter mornings of my childhood when my mom would become a master baker in our kitchen, as she still does. She would wake up early and bake, whipping together multiple beloved recipes simultaneously. By the time the afternoon sun streamed in through our sliding glass door, the fresh snow dazzling in the light, we would sit enveloped in the wonderful smells of her creations, and enjoy her lovely drop-filled date cookies together.

She had learned the recipe from my grandma, and now my sisters and I have learned the recipe from my mom. This old-fashioned recipe remains a favorite in my family, and is a lovely addition to your list of holiday recipes. Try it for yourself using the special family recipe below.

Ingredients for cookie dough:

• 2 cups of brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of shortening
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 3.5 cups of flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Ingredients for filling:

• 1 cup of raisins
• 1 cup of dates, pitted and chopped
• 1/2 cup of walnuts
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of sugar

Instructions for filling:

1. Combine ingredients in saucepan and cook down until the the mixture is thickened. Then cool.

Instructions for dough:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium sized bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the sugar, eggs and shortening. Then add milk and combine.
4. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and combine until well blended and smooth.
5. Place 1 teaspoon of dough on a lightly greased or parchment lined cookie sheet, and spread into a round somewhat flat shape. Place 1 teaspoon of filling in a dollop on top of the dough. Then drop another teaspoon of dough to the top of the layers.
6. Bake the sheet of cookies for about 12 minutes.
7. Remove from oven, and after a few minutes, transfer them to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy!