Grandma Myers' Refrigerator Cookies

Photo was shared with me by my sister, Carol Arroyo, and her website called The Baking Pan. Recipe adapted from The Complete Cookie by Barry Bluestein and Kevin Morrissey.

During the late 1920s and 1930s in Vernonia, Oregon, Grandma Myers baked these cookies in the oven of her wood stove. My mother tells me that they used to test the heat by sticking their hand in the oven. If the temperature felt right, then they put the cookies in. Don't worry - these cookies have been adapted for use in our modern ovens.

Check out more of Linda's favorite Cookie Recipes and Secrets To Making Perfect Cookies.

Grandma Myers' Refrigerator Cookies

1 cup vegetable shortening*
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped nuts

* Butter may be substituted for the vegetable shortening.

In a large bowl, cream vegetable shortening, butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy; stir in eggs and vanilla extract. Add flour, salt, and baking soda; stir until well blended.

In a small bowl, combine dates and nuts until dates are coated with nuts; stir into cookie dough. Shape cookie dough into a log, wrap in wax paper, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Cut cookie dough into 1/8-inch slices; place onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake 10 minutes or until light brown. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.

Yields 5 dozen cookies.