merry cookies

Ingredients For merry cookies

• 3/4 c

  shortening
• 1 1/2 c

  brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3

  eggs
• 1 lb

  candied chopped fruit
• 1/2 lb

  chopped pitted dates
• 3 c

  sifted all purpose flour
• 1 tsp

  soda
• 3/4 tsp

  salt
• 1 tsp

  cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp

  allspice, ground
• 1/2 c

  applesauce, or applebutter
• 1 tsp

  vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 c

  pecans, chopped
• MERRY FROSTING
• 1 lb

  confectioners' sugar
• 1 Tbsp

  vanilla extract
• 3 Tbsp

  water