Grandma'S Date Filled Cookies

• DATE FILLING
• 1 1/2 cups dates, cut up fine (You may use a combination of figs, raisins and dates -l/2 cup each- if you prefer)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• COOKIE DOUGH
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or 2 tablespoons canned milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Mix in a sauce pan the dates, sugar and TBSP of flour, water, and lemon juice. Cook this for about 5 minutes on a medium heat, until all are blended well.
2. Mix together the shortening, sugar, and eggs.
3. Stir in the 2 Tbsps. thick cream and l teaspoons vanilla.
4. Sift together the 2 1/2 cups of flour, baking soda and salt. Add to shortening mix to form dough.
5. Chill dough for at least 1 to 2 hours.
6. Roll out dough in thin layers in small batches and cut with round cookie cutter.
7. Put mixture (about a tbsp.) in the center between 2 thin cookies pressed together.
8. Bake at 350 degrees on lightly greased sheet pan for 8-10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.

filling, dates, sugar, flour, water, lemon juice, cookie dough, shortening, sugar, eggs, heavy cream, vanilla, flour, baking soda, salt

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/grandmas-date-filled-cookies-140168 (may not work)