missouri's lebkucker (lepe) cookies

Ingredients

• 1 quart molasses
• 1 cup butter, do not substitute
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 4 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 quart walnut pieces
• 1 pound mixed candied cherries
• 1 cup candied lemon peel
• 1 cup candied orange peel
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 - eggs, beaten
• 1 quart whole pecans
• 1 pound raisins
• 1 pint green candied cherries
• 1 pint red candied cherries
• 1 pound chopped dates
• 1 pound mixed candied fruit
• 3 1/2 quarts all purpose flour