Fruit 'n Nut Drops

Ingredients

• 0.5 tsp baking soda 
• 1 cup firmly brown sugar packed
• 1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)
• 0.5 cup candied cherry halves 
• 8 oz philadelphia cream cheese softened
• 1 cup dates chopped
• 1  eggs 
• 2 cups flour 
• 0.5 tsp salt 
• 48  planters walnut halves 
• 0.8 cup planters walnuts chopped

Equipment

• bowl
• baking sheet
• oven
• hand mixer

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Beat cream cheese, butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
2. Add egg; mix well.
3. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to cream cheese mixture, beating until well blended after each addition. Stir in dates, chopped walnuts and cherries.
4. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough, 2 inches apart, onto greased baking sheets. Top each with a walnut half.
5. Bake 9 to 11 min. or until edges are lightly browned.
6. Remove from baking sheets to wire racks. Cool completely.