Dessert

Date Cookies Recipe

ByClara Bennett November 26, 2025November 26, 2025

Introduction

These Date Cookies are a delightful blend of soft, sweet dates and crunchy pecans wrapped in a spiced buttery dough. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or sharing with friends during the holidays.

A close-up view of a stack of three chunky cookies on a light wooden board, each cookie thick and rough textured with visible pieces of nuts and dark raisins spread evenly throughout. The top cookie is slightly golden brown with a soft, chewy appearance, while the lower cookies show a mix of light brown and beige tones with darker spots where the dried fruit and nuts sit. Around the stack, more cookies lie flat, showing similar textures and colors. The background is blurred with a warm wooden tone, and the surface beneath the board is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 ⅓ cups white sugar
3 eggs
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons water
1 ½ cups chopped pitted dates
1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and white sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 2: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the sifted all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves.
Step 4: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mixture until well blended.
Step 5: Mix the chopped dates with the water, then stir this into the dough along with the chopped pecans.
Step 6: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up.
Step 7: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and grease your cookie sheets.
Step 8: Drop spoonfuls of dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them apart.
Step 9: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges start to turn golden.
Step 10: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the dough.
Substitute walnuts or almonds for pecans if preferred.
Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and makes the cookies chewier.
If you like a softer cookie, reduce baking time slightly and watch closely.

Storage

Store these Date Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, allow frozen cookies to thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven for a few minutes.

How to Serve

The image shows a stack of four chunky cookies placed on a light wooden board, with three more cookies scattered around it. Each cookie is thick and textured with visible dark brown and black bits of nuts and dried fruit embedded throughout. The cookie surface is slightly rough and uneven, showing a mixture of golden brown baked dough and darker spots. The background is a soft, blurred brown wooden surface, and the scene is lit warmly to highlight the cookies' texture and colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh dates instead of dried dates?

Dried dates work best for this recipe because they hold their shape and sweetness better during baking. If you use fresh dates, chop them finely and reduce added water to avoid making the dough too wet.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Make sure it’s a 1:1 substitute for best results, and check the blend includes xanthan gum or add some separately for structure.