1 cup melted butter (2 sticks, 1/2 lb)
3 cups brown sugar (packed)
4 eggs, beaten (in a glass)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups finely chopped walnuts (measure AFTER chopping)
1 cup chopped dates (you can buy them already chopped)
4 cups flour (pack, do not sift)

melt the butter on HIGH in a microwave-safe container for 90 seconds, or in a saucepan on the stove over low heat. transfer the melted butter to a large mixing bowl and add the brown sugar. mix it well and let it cool to slightly above room temperature, just enough so that it won’t cook the eggs when you add them. mix in the beaten eggs. stir until they are thoroughly incorporated. add the salt, baking soda, and vanilla. mix it all up together. mix in the walnuts and let the dough rest while you chop the dates. you can chop the dates by hand with a knife, but it’s a lot easier in a food processor or blender. just pit them first, cut each one into two or three pieces with a knife, put them into the bowl of your food processor or blender, and sprinkle with a little flour (approx 1/4 cup). the flour will keep them from gumming up. when you process them, measure one cup of chopped dates and add them to your mixing bowl. stir them in thoroughly. add the flour in one-cup increments, mixing after each addition. the dough will be fairly stiff. form the dough into balls with your fingers. (make them the size of a walnut shell.) place them on a greased cookie sheet, 12 to a standard sheet. (they will flatten and spread when they bake.) bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or.until lightly browned. let them cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes and then remove them to a wire rack to complete cooling.