Christmas Angel Cookies
Source: Irene Holloway, Chevy Chase, MD

1/2 c Shortening
1/2 c Cream cheese, softened
1 c Light brown sugar,*
1/2 c Granulated sugar
2 Eggs
3 c Flour
1/2 ts Baking soda
1/2 ts Salt
1 tb Vanilla
2 c Candied fruit, mixed
2 c Broken pecans or almonds

* 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 didn't 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.