Grandma's Date Filled Cookies

These are probably my most favorite cookie. They are just sweet enough and they have a bit of a savory character to them too. That is not why they are my favorite though. When I make these I am transported back to my Great Grandma's kitchen. To these sitting on the counter waiting for us when we came over. Grandma would make these at all times of the year, but they always reminded me of Christmas, and they remind me of her too....



You want to start the filling while making the dough

Date Filled Cookies
By My Great Grandma
Cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter*
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup warm water
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 cup flour*

Preheat oven to 325 degrees line baking sheets with parchment or silpat

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and water then mix in baking soda, salt and flour. Mix until combined.

Now you can either roll out the dough and use a smaller round cutter on the cookies or you can use a small cookie scoop. I use a scoop it is faster. Once balls of dough are on the cookie sheet, use the bottom of a glass or measuring up dipped in flour and slightly flatten cookies. Then using your knuckle make a small imprint in the center of the cookie. Add date mixture about 3/4 of a teaspoon each, and bake for 10 min or until the edges are just barely golden brown. Let the cookies sit for a few minutes and then move to a cooling rack.

These cookies spread a bit so give them some room to grow. I can get 13 small cookies on one sheet pan.

*Note: Grandma's recipe called for shortening, also if you use a cookie scoop then add another 1/4 cup of flour.

Filling:
2 cups pitted dates
1 cup water

Combine in a sauce pan over medium heat until mixture becomes hot then reduce to low/medium low until mixture becomes a paste, stirring often. Set aside until ready for cookies.

Enjoy!