Ingredients:

1 cup shortening

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

½ cup sour milk (Buttermilk)

3 ½ cups flour, sifted

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups broken nuts (not chopped, broken)

2 cups candied cherries, cut in small pieces - red and green

2 cups chopped dates

Directions:

Mix shortening, sugar, and eggs; add sour milk.  Sift flour, soda, and salt; stir in nuts, cherries, and dates.  Chill. Drop with spoon on greased baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.  You can make the dough ahead of time - keeps for at least a week in the refrigerator.