This was an old family recipe reserved for special occasions.  I remember eating these cookies at Christmas as a child.  You can use dates or apricots for filling.  My favorite was the apricot.

Ingredient

Cookie

1/2 C butter

1 C sugar

1 egg beaten

1 t vanilla

3 C flour

3 t baking powder

3/4 t salt

1/4 C milk

Filling

Date

1 C pitted dates chopped

1/2 C sugar

1/4 C water

Sugar for topping

Apricot

1 1/4 C dried apricots chopped

1/2 C sugar

1 C water

Directions

Oven temperature 350º  Parchment paper lines baking sheet Makes 2 dozen cookies

Cookie

Combine dry ingredients in medium bowl. 

Cream shortening then add sugar and mix until fluffy. Stir in beaten egg and vanilla until well mixed. 

Mix dry ingredients alternately with milk into creamed mixture. Chill dough for an hour. 

Date Filling*

Combine dates, water, and sugar in sauce pan. Cook until softened. Mix well. 

Apricot Filling*

Combine apricots, sugar, and water in small sauce pan and cook until soft. Mash them or use an immersion blender to mix them.

Assemble 

On a lightly floured surface roll cookie dough to about 1/8 ” thick. Cut with 2″ cookie cutter. Place 1 t of filling of choice in center of cookie and fold over then press the edges with a fork to seal. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Remove from oven and transfer to rack.

Note:

*Watch closely as the fillings can scorch.