Fruit-Filled Spritz

1 c Butter

1/2 ts Almond extract

1 c Sugar

4 c Sifted flour

1/2 c Brown sugar; packed

1/2 ts Soda

3 Eggs

1/2 ts Salt

1/2 ts Vanilla

Fruit-nut-filling: 1/2 c Water

1/2 c Candied cherries; finely cho

1/2 c Sugar

1 1/2 c Cut dates

1/2 c Chopped nuts

1 ts Orange rind

Cream butter; add sugars gradually. Beat in eggs and extracts. Blend in sifted dry ingredients; chill. Make FruitNut Filling: Combine water, sugar, dates and orange rind. cook until thickened; stir; add cherries and nuts; cool. Knead dough in hands until soft and pliable. Press dough through cookie press onto ungreased cookie sheets. (Use the saw-toothed shaped cookie press plate.) STRIPS OF DOUGH SHOULD BE 10" LONG AND 2" APART. Spread filling down center of each strip. Use cookie press to cover filling with another strip of dough. Bake at 375 degrees about 12 minutes. Cut into 1-1/4" bars immediately. Makes about 8 dozen. Helen Jolly

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