It wouldn't be Christmas in our house without these cookies -- fragrant, chewy and chock-full of fruits and pecans. Mrs. Womack was my dad's secretary, and she always gave us a tin of her fruitcake cookies. Last year I got the recipe from Mrs. Womack, who had not known quite how much her cookies mean to me. Here is the precious recipe, as handrwitten on the recipe card, in Mrs. Womack's own words:

MRS. WOMACK’S FRUITCAKE COOKIES

6 cups chopped pecans
1 pound chopped dates
1 pound chopped candied cherries
1 pound chopped candied pineapple
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
4 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
3 cups plain sifted flour
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon

In 8 quart bowl cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time (I use mixer). Sift together flour, spices, and soda. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, Then with hands work in the fruit and nuts well. Drop on greased cookie sheet. Cook in 350-degree oven 12 to 15 minutes. Check often.