Mix and sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in shortening. Add milk gradually to form soft dough. Roll dough out until thin and spread with butter and brown sugar. Cover with chopped dates. Roll like a jelly roll. Cut into 1-inch pieces and put into greased muffin pans with cut-side up. Bake for 15 minutes in a 400-degree oven. Let cool for 10 minutes; then slice.