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A date pinwheel cookie leaning against a stack of cookies on a kitchen counter.
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4.96 from 74 votes

Date Pinwheel Cookies

These vintage Date Pinwheel Cookies are a nostalgic choice for your holiday cookie trays. Cookie dough is rolled with a sweet date filling to create these delicious treats.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Chilling Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 30 cookies
Calories: 140kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar divided
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces fresh dates chopped (approximately 1 cup)
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

  • Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, cream the butter with ½ cup granulated sugar and the brown sugar. Mix on medium speed for a minute or two. Add the egg and vanilla and continue mixing until well incorporated.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir with a spoon until combined. Using clean hands, work the dough until it holds together in a ball. Wrap the ball of dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, place the chopped dates, remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar and the water in a small saucepan over MEDIUM heat. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to LOW and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the dates have cooked down to a paste-like consistency, mix in the chopped nuts and remove the pan from the heat. Set aside to cool.
  • Roll the chilled dough out on a lightly floured piece of wax paper to a 12- x 8-inch rectangle. Spread the cooled date mixture on the dough to within about ½-inch of the edges. Starting at one of the long ends, begin to carefully roll the dough into a log. Wrap the rolled dough in the wax paper and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.
  • When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice the roll into ¼-inch slices. Place on lightly greased or parchment paper lined baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on thr baking sheets for a minute or two before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg