These cookies do take a little more time to make than some but they are worth it. The biggest time consumer is that they need to be chilled and then after the are rolled out they have to be refrigerated overnight. I have other cookie recipes that have to be refrigerated and what I have started doing when I bake for holidays is to mix up all refrigerated cookies one day and then bake them all the next. I do this one first since they have to be both chilled and refrigerated.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup shortening
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 3 beaten eggs
- 4 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 2 1/4 cup chopped dates (about 1 pound)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts)
Directions:
Cook dates, white sugar, and water till it is thick. (about 10 minutes)
Add your nuts to that mixture and then cool. (put in the refrigerator)
In another bowl cream shortening and brown sugar together. Then add your eggs and beat.
Add the rest of your dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking powder) and mix well.
Then chill the cookie dough mixture. I divide it in two parts so it chills quicker.
When it is chilled (about 1 – 2 hours) take out 1/2 the dough and roll out like you would a jelly roll and spread with half the date mixture. Then roll it up, again like you would a jelly roll. Do the same with the other half of the dough.
Chill all night and then slice in 1/4 inch cookies.
Bake at 400 for 8 to 10 minutes.
Tip: I usually mix up the date mixture after I have the dough in the refrigerator chilling. Gives me time to clean up and get an area ready for rolling it out. Then they are both chilled at about the same time.