DATE SWIRL COOKIES

By bjnelson55

These are EXCELLENT. I made them for Christmas in 2009.

Deliciously old-fashioned, these chewy treats have been a tradition in our family for 60 years. The recipe earned me a ribbon at the county fair and is a full-flavored winner anytime.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups pitted dates, chopped
• 3/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• Pinch salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

Directions
In a saucepan, combine dates, 1/4 cup sugar, water, nuts and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.

In a bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, egg and remaining sugar. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into butter mixture. Chill for 30 minutes.

Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4-in.-thick rectangle. Spread with date mixture; roll up jelly-roll style, starting at a long end. Wrap with waxed paper. Chill for at least 4 hours. Remove waxed paper. Cut into 1/8-in. to 1/4-in. slices.

Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: about 4 dozen.


Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (2 each) equals 154 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 19 mg cholesterol, 100 mg sodium, 27 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.