Name: Billy Goats
Cook time: 12 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegetable shortening; 1 cup sugar; 2 eggs; 2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup sour cream; 2 cup flour; 2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 teaspoon ground allspice; 2 cup chopped walnuts; 2 cup finely chopped dates

Billy Goats

Cinnamon, spice, walnuts, dates...it's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas! These memorably-named cookies are a delicious treat in the winter months.

Notes

Many West Coast regional cookbooks have recipes for these thick, soft date-and-nut cookies. In other parts of the country they used to be called 'rocks', a reference to their shape, not their texture!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please check out our 50 Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes Free eCookbook

Cooking Time12 min

Ingredients

1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup sour cream
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
2 cups chopped walnuts
2 cups finely chopped dates

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375'F and grease some cookie sheets.
Cream the shortening and sugar together.
Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth and blended, then beat in the sour cream.
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, then stir and toss them together.
Add to the first mixture and beat until completely mixed.
Add the nuts and dates and mix well.
Drop heaping teaspoonfuls of the dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for about 12 minutes, until the cookies are delicately browned around the edges.
Transfer to racks to cool completely.