Date Nutty Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 cup vegetable shortening

--butter flavored 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed

1 egg

1/3 cup orange juice

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups rolled oats -- quick-cooking

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

1 cup chopped dates

1 cup chopped nuts -- walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 375 degrees; grease cookie sheets. In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the shortening, brown sugar, egg, orange juice and vanilla extract until well blended. In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. With the mixer on low speed, beat the flour mixture into the shortening mixture until just blended. Stir in the coconut, dates and nuts. Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake one cookie sheet at a time for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes on the cookies sheets. Remove to racks to cool completely.