How to Make Date Cookies
August 15, 2024
Let’s make some date cookies today. These cookies will melt in your mouth and you will love them. These are great for anytime of the year!
Flavor Profile of Date Cookies
Sweet and Rich: The natural sweetness of the dates, combined with the brown sugar in the dough, gives these cookies a deep, rich sweetness that is both comforting and satisfying. The dates add a caramel-like flavor that complements the subtle sweetness of the cookie base.
Buttery and Soft: The use of unsalted butter in the dough adds a creamy, buttery flavor that enhances the richness of the cookie. The texture is soft and tender, creating a pleasant contrast to the chewy date filling.
Nutty: The addition of walnut pieces provides a delightful crunch and a slightly bitter, nutty flavor that balances the sweetness of the dates and sugar. The walnuts also add a layer of complexity, making each bite more interesting.
Warm and Comforting: The combination of vanilla extract and brown sugar gives the cookies a warm, cozy flavor that is reminiscent of classic baked goods. The subtle hint of vanilla rounds out the flavors, making the cookies feel homely and comforting.
Fruity and Earthy: The dates bring a natural fruitiness to the cookies, with an earthy undertone that adds depth to the overall flavor. This fruity element makes the cookies feel light and fresh, despite their richness.
This combination of flavors makes date cookies a delightful treat that is both satisfying and nuanced, appealing to a wide range of palates.
Date Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
For the Date Filling:
1 cup (175 grams) pitted and chopped dates
3/4 cup (177 grams) water
1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
For the Dough:
2 cups (256 grams) all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon (3 grams) baking soda
1/4 teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup (56 grams) milk
1 teaspoon (4 grams) vanilla extract
Walnut pieces for topping
Instructions
1. Prepare the Date Filling:
Place the pitted and chopped dates, water, and sugar in a small pan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms a thick paste, about 7 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
2. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
3. Prepare the Dough:
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt for a couple of minutes to combine.
In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter with the brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a mixer for this step.
Add the first egg and mix until fully incorporated. Then add the second egg and mix well.
Mix in the milk and vanilla extract, creaming the mixture thoroughly.
Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until the ingredients are incorporated. Be careful not to overbeat the dough.
4. Assemble the Cookies:
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets using a cookie scoop or a spoon.
Make a small indentation in the center of each dough mound and gently press in about 1/2 teaspoon of the cooled date filling. Top with a piece of walnut.
Add a small dollop of dough on top of the date filling and spread it out to cover the filling completely.
5. Bake the Cookies:
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly browned.
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
6. Store the Cookies:
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for about a week.