Albanian Date Cookies

Ingredients
powder
 * 1 tbsp. baking soda
 * 2 tbsp. Sugar
 * 6 c. flour
 * 1 box dates, pitted, or raisins
 * walnuts, ground
 * SYRUP:
 * 2 c. Sugar
 * 4 c. water
 * 1 tsp. lemon juice

Directions

 * 1) Boil until syrup forms.
 * 2) Combine oil, orange juice, vanilla.
 * 3) Combine dry ingredients and add slowly to liquid, mixing thoroughly.
 * 4) Dough should be soft and moist.
 * 5) If necessary add more flour.
 * 6) Form dough into balls.
 * 7) Press date or raisins into the middle and roll.
 * 8) Place on cookie sheet.
 * 9) Bake 20–25 minutes at 350 degrees.
 * 10) Dip cool cookies into warm syrup.
 * 11) Press top of cookie into ground nuts, and let dry.