Every Christmas my Grandmother Kathrine Atwood would makes dozens of different cookies and arrange them beautifully on large platters. Many were tempting, but Aunt Bessie’s were always our favorite. Rumor has it that after my father Frank Laycock tried these cookies the first time, he immediately asked Aunt Bessie to marry him!

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. white sugar

1 c. shortening  

Cream these together!

3 eggs - add one at a time and beat after each

1 teaspoon baking soda in 1 Tablespoon hot water

1 T. vanilla

3 cups of flour

1# of cut dates

1 1/2 c. chopped pecans

2 1/2 large Hershey bars (used to be 39 cents…..these are the big ones) broken in chunks

Add the above ingredients in order and mix well.

Drop by T. on greased cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees