1 1/2 cup regular rolled oats

1/3 cups buttermilk or sour milk

2 cups packed brown sugar

3/4 cup shortening

1 tespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tespoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped pitted dates

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Powdered Sugar Icing

 

Directions:

 

Spread the oats in a shallow baking pan.  Bake in a 375 degree oven about 10 minutes or till lightly toasted, stirring once.  Meanwhile, grease a cookie sheet,

 

Place the toasted oats in a small bowl.  Stir in buttermilk or sour milk and let stand a few minutes.

 

In a medium mixing bowl beat together the brown sugar and shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed till combined.  Add the baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and the salt; beat till combined.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla.  Beat in the oat mixture.

 

Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer.  Stir in the remaining flour, dates, and nuts.  Drop dough by a rounded teaspoon about 2 inches apart onto the prepated coookie sheet.

 

Bake in the 375 oven about 10 minutes or till edges are golden brown.  Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool.  if desired, drizzle with Powdered Sugar Icing, Makes 60 cookies.