Sweet on Dates

I love dates. They provide a natural sweetness and stickiness to baking and who doesn't love something sweet?

I am not sure how dates got their name, but I do know that when I am invited out dancing by my Sweetheart it's called a date. And that's why the ninth day of Christmas is bringing nine ladies dancing and a few dozen Date Turnover Cookies!

These are not the type of cookie I would suggest making with kids because they're fiddly, but they're the perfect size for a kid to bite into at dessert.

Keep reading for the recipe!

Date Turnover Cookies - Makes 3 1/2 dozen

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups flour

1 pinch of salt 

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups chopped dates

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

1 pinch of salt

1. Start by preparing your cookie dough. Combine 1 cup sugar, shortening, and eggs. Once combined, add in flour, salt, and baking soda. Knead mixture on your counter and until well combined and refrigerate for about one hour. 

2. Next make your date filling. Combine dates, 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup water, walnuts, and salt in a pot on the stove at high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and becomes jam-like, about 10 - 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. 

3. Preheat oven to 400 degree and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 

4. Roll dough out on a floured counter top and cut into three - four inch circles. I used a four inch juice glass and it worked great. 

5. Pick up one circle and scoop about two teaspoons of the date mixture into the centre of it.

6. Fold the circle into a half moon shape to surround the filling and pinch the edges to seal.

7. Repeat with all remaining circles and re-roll dough to make as many cookies as possible.

8. Lay cookies on the parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake for about 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

If you're not a nut fan, you can leave the walnuts out. But I'd think you'd be nuts because the nutty crunch tastes great to me :)