Recipe submitted by Jackie Parks, Gillsville.

Ingredients:

½ cup shortening

1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 large egg

¼ cup buttermilk

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

1 cup dates, chopped

1 cup pecans, chopped

1 cup candied cherries, chopped

5 dozen pecan halves (optional)

Directions:

Combine shortening, light brown sugar and egg in a large bowl. Stir in buttermilk. Combine baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir in dates, pecans and cherries. Cover and chill 1 hour.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons, 2 inches apart, onto lightly greased baking sheets. Top each cookie with a pecan half, if desired. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.