Ingredients
1-1/2 cups chopped dates
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup ground nuts

DOUGH:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Confectioners' sugar

Directions
In a saucepan, combine the first five ingredients; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 8 minutes or until thickened. Cool completely. Stir in cherries, coconut and nuts; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in eggs and extracts. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.

Using a cookie press fitted with a bar disk, press a 12-in.-long strip of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet. Spread fruit filling over dough. Press another strip over filling. Cut into 1-in. pieces (there is no need to separate the pieces). Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

Bake at 375F for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden. Recut into pieces if necessary. Remove to wire racks to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Yield: about 7-1/2 dozen. 

Source:  Taste of Home