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 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
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.