Date-Filled Sugar Cookies

1.Cream together shortening and sugars until fluffy; add egg, milk, and vanilla; mix well.

2.Sift together dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture; mix well.

3.Chill dough about 1 hour.

4.On floured pastry cloth, roll half the dough at a time to 1/8 inch thickness.

5.Cut with floured 2 1/2 inch cutter or thimble, cut small hole in center of half the cookies.

6.Place about 1 tablespoon filling on each plain cookie.

7.Top with a cut-out cookie; press edges with tip of inverted teaspoon to seal.

8.Bake 8 to 12 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet in moderate oven (375°F).

9.Makes 3 dozen.