Christmas Angel Cookies

Description
Nice for using the candied fruits that didn't make it into the fruit cake.
 * Yield: 3 dozen

Ingredients

 * ½ cup shortening
 * ½ cup cream cheese, softened
 * 1 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed the cream cheese gives these cookies a smooth texture, while the fruits sparkle and sweeten the flavor)
 * ½ cup granulated sugar
 * 2 eggs
 * 3 cups flour
 * ½ tsp baking soda
 * ½ tsp salt
 * 1 tbsp vanilla
 * 2 cups candied fruit, mixed
 * 2 cups broken pecans or almonds

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 350°F.
 * 2) In a large bowl, cream shortening and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
 * 3) Add sugars and eggs, mixing well.
 * 4) In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda and salt together.
 * 5) Add flour mixture to egg and sugar mixture; add vanilla.
 * 6) Mix well.
 * 7) Add candied fruit and nuts.
 * 8) Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto lightly oiled cookie sheet and bake at 350°F for about 10 – 12 minutes.
 * 9) 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.