The freezer cookie supply was getting low and I had a bag of chopped dates in the fridge. Wondered if I could use dates in chocolate chip cookies and checked recipesource.com. Found the following recipe attributed to a 1995 issue of Southern Living Magazine. I was skeptical about the 34 cups of chopped walnuts it called for, so assumed it was 3/4 of a cup. Also skeptical about the tablespoon of vanilla and used one teaspoon instead. Otherwise, I followed the recipe and the results were delicious and will be made again.

1/2 cup butter or margine, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup dates, chopped
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels (12 oz)
3/4 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup flaked coconut

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add brown sugar, beating well. Stir in egg and vanilla, beating well. Add dates. Let stand 5 minutes. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in another container.

Beat butter mixture at high speed three minutes, gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in semisweet chocolate morsels, chopped walnuts and flaked coconut.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonsful onto lightly greased baking sheets. (I use one of those ice-cream scoop-like dispensers rather than a tablespoon. Makes it so much easier.) Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool. Yield: 3 dozen.