Holiday Fruit Drops

 

2

cups packed brown sugar

1

cup shortening

1/2

cup buttermilk

2

eggs

3 1/2

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1

teaspoon baking soda

1

teaspoon salt

2

cups candied cherries, cut in half

2

cups chopped dates

1 1/2

cups chopped pecans

Pecan halves, if desired

• 1 In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, buttermilk and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until blended, or mix with spoon. Gradually stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in cherries, dates and chopped pecans. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
• 2 Heat oven to 375ºF. Grease cookie sheet. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet. Place a pecan half on each cookie.
• 3 Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.