Instructions: * Firmly packed The cream cheese gives these cookies a smooth texture, while the fruits sparkle and sweeten the flavor. Nice for using the candied fruits that didnt make it into the fruit cake.

Preheat oven to 350 . In a large bowl, cream shortening and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add sugars and eggs, mixing well. In a seperate bowl, sift flour, baking soda and salt together. Add flour mixture to egg and sugar mixture; add vanilla. Mix well. Add candied fruit and nuts. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto lightly oiled cookie sheet and bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes. The cookies will be just browned at the edges. Hint: You may have to mix candied fruit and nuts in with your hands; a little shortening on your fingers will keep the mixture from sticking.

Yield: 3 dozen. Irene Holloway, Chevy
Chase, MD Randy Shearer

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