| 1 | * dissolved in a little warm water |
| 2 | this mildly spicy cookie will be a big hit with everyone who loves fruit and nuts. |
| 3 | preheat oven to 375? |
| 4 | in a large bowl, cream butter with sugar and eggs until fluffy. |
| 5 | In a separate bowl, sift flour with cinnamon and cloves. |
| 6 | Slowly beat flour into butter and sugar. |
| 7 | Add the dissolved baking soda. |
| 8 | Stir in raisins, dates and nuts. |
| 9 | Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. |
| 10 | Bake at 375?for 7-9 minutes. |
| 11 | Remove from oven and cool on wire rack. |
| 12 | yield: 4 dozen. |
| 13 | Maria bappert, food editor, the good news weekly, chicago, il |
| 14 | randy shearer |