Imagine biting into a soft, golden cookie that transports you straight to grandma's kitchen – a magical moment of pure comfort and sweetness. These Date Filled Cookies aren't just a recipe; they're a cherished family tradition that has been delighting taste buds for generations. With a perfectly balanced filling of sweet, tender dates nestled between delicate, buttery cookie layers, this recipe promises to become your new favorite homemade treat that will have everyone begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 42 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 36 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the date filling first by combining chopped dates and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until dates soften and mixture becomes a thick paste, approximately 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until well incorporated and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter or glass to cut out circles, approximately 2-3 inches in diameter.
- Place a small teaspoon of the cooled date filling in the center of half of the cookie circles, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Cover each filled cookie with another dough circle, gently pressing the edges with a fork to seal the filling inside.
- Transfer the filled cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.
Tips
- Ensure your dates are cooked down to a smooth, thick paste for the most luxurious filling.
- Use room temperature butter and egg for the smoothest, most consistent dough.
- Don't overwork the dough – mix just until ingredients are combined to keep cookies tender.
- Use a fork to crimp cookie edges for a classic, homemade look and secure seal.
- Let cookies cool completely before storing to maintain their perfect texture.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For extra elegance, dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 110kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 1g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 15mg
