Chewy Date Pinwheels Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs. In another bowl, whisk flour and baking soda; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough into 3 portions; shape each into a disk. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., For filling, place dates, water and sugar in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until dates are tender and liquid is almost evaporated. Stir in walnuts; cool completely., Roll each dough portion between 2 sheets of waxed paper into a 12x10-in. rectangle. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Remove waxed paper. Spread a third of the filling over each rectangle. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Wrap securely. Refrigerate until firm., Preheat oven to 350°. Unwrap and cut dough crosswise into 1/3-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Steps:

• 1. In a large saucepan, combine the dates, sugar and water. Cook and stir over medium heat for 7-9 minutes or until thickened. Stir in nuts; set aside to cool. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, soda, salt and cinnamon; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Divide dough in half. On a floured surface, roll out one portion of dough into a 1/4-in. thick rectangle. Spread with half of filling. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
• 2. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight. Unwrap dough; cut into 1/2-in. slices.
• 3. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Steps:

• Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside.
• Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla, and blend thoroughly.
• Add flour mixture, blending to make a soft dough. Refrigerate dough about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make filling. In a small saucepan, add dates, sugar, and water. Cook until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Mix in peel and nuts. Cool.
• Divide cookie dough in half. Roll 1/2 into 8x10 rectangle. Spread 1/2 of filling over rolled dough. Beginning at long end, roll dough, jelly roll fashion, and wrap in plastic. Repeat with other half of dough. Refrigerate both rolls several hours or overnight.
• With a thin, sharp knife, slice cookies into 1/4" slices. Place on cookie pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 375F for 8-10 minutes.
• ORANGE-FIG cookies: Make filling of 1-1/4 C figs, 1/4 C sugar, 3/4 C water. Cook approximately 10 minutes, then add 1 tbsp orange peel and 1/2 C finely chopped walnuts. Proceed as above using orange-fig filling instead of date filling.

Steps:

• Combine dates, sugar and water in saucepan.
• Cook until thickened and dates have broken down to a paste about 5 minutes, stirring constantly (add water a tsp at a time if you feel it is sticking).
• Remove from heat and blend in lemon juice, lemon rind and the nuts.
• Set aside to cool thoroughly.
• Sift together flour, baking soda and salt.
• Cream the butter, brown sugar and orange rind.
• Beat in the egg and vinegar (the vinegar will slightly"curdle" the butter, don't worry this is normal).
• Blend in the dry ingredients (dough will be somewhat stiff).
• Chill dough several hours or overnight.
• On wax paper, roll dough into a 15x10 inch rectangle.
• Spread with the date mixture to within 1/4 inch of all sides.
• Starting with the long side of the dough roll as for jelly roll, using the wax paper to help you.
• Slice roll in half place on platter cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Slice into 1/4 inch thick slices and place on cookie sheet (grease the sheet if you are not using a non-stick sheet).
• Bake in 375F oven for 12 minutes until slightly golden (do not brown).
• Remove from oven and let sit on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before removing and cooling on rack.