lipp cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 quarts molasses
• 2 pounds brown sugar
• 1 1/4 pounds shortening (lard works best)
• 2 pounds raisins
• 1 pound figs
• 1 pound dates, chopped
• 1 quart nuts (black walnut, pecan, usually, but any nut would work) coarsely chopped
• 4 tablespoons ginger
• 1 1/2 tablespoons baking poder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup baking oda dissolved in hot water
• 3 - eggs, room temperature
• 12 ounces bag each of lemon and orange gum drops