CHEWY DATE AND WALNUT PINWHEEL COOKIES

Chewy Date and Walnut Pinwheel Cookies image

Provided by BonnieZ

Categories Dessert

Time 4h45m

Yield 4 1/2 dozen, 54 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

3/4 cup pitted diced dates
6 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh lemon rind
1/2 cup finely chopped or ground walnuts
1 egg
2 cups sifted flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1 tablespoon vinegar

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.