Here’s an interesting-sounding sweet treat from A Thousand Ways to Please a Husband, circa 1917 (that’s an illustration from the book, above). Impress your date with these Date Rocks!

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup lard and butter mixed
1-1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. powdered cloves
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup dates, cut fine
1/2 cup nut meats, cut fine

Cream the butter and lard, add the sugar, and mix well. Add the two eggs, well beaten. Mix and sift thoroughly the flour, baking powder, salt, cloves, and cinnamon. Add the dates and nuts. Stir these dry ingredients into the first mixture. Add the vanilla. Mix thoroughly and drop from the end of a spoon upon a well larded and floured baking pan. Bake fifteen minutes in a moderate oven.