Orange Date Nut Cookies

Unbelievably amazingly delicious cookies! Made them for a Christmas Cookie Exchange and got amazing feedback! Got the recipe from a cookbook that I bought at a garage sale or someplace like that…what a buy!!!
Anyway..here goes…

1 10 oz package chopped dates
1 tsp grated orange rind
1 tbsp orange juice
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans, divided.

Line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with foil, allowing foil to extend over the edges of pan.
Position knife blade in food processor bowl and add the first three ingredients. Process 45 seconds or until dates are finely chopped.
Beat butter at medium speed with a heavy duty electric mixer until blended.
Gradually add sugar, beating until blended.
Add egg and vanilla, beat well.
Combine flour, baking powder and salt and gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed until just blended.
Divide dough into three portions. Knead 1/2 cups pecans into one of the portion of dough, press dough into prepared loaf pan. Knead date mixture into second portion of dough and press over pecan dough layer. Knead the remaining 1/2 cup pecans into the third portion and press on top of the date dough layer. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
Invert loaf pan onto cutting board. ( I used wax paper). Remove and discard foil. Cut dough lengthwise into 4 sections. Cut each section into 1/4 inch slices. Place slices 1 1/2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly on baking sheets, remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Yield: The recipes says 8 doz, but I did not cut the slices that thin. I ended up with around 5 dozen cookies.