Date Cookies Recipe
Deliciously spiced Date Cookies with a tender, buttery base mixed with chopped dates and pecans, offering a sweet, chewy, and nutty treat perfect for any occasion.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough
- 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
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the cookies.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to integrate them fully and create a smooth batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the sifted all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Gradually stir this dry mixture into the creamed wet ingredients until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Dates and Pecans: Mix the chopped pitted dates with the water, then fold this mixture along with the chopped pecans into the dough, ensuring even distribution of the fruits and nuts.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate it for 1 hour. This helps firm the dough for easier handling and enhances the flavors.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and grease the cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Form Cookies: Drop the dough by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them appropriately to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned but centers remain soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to set properly.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for better texture and easier handling.
- Ensure dates are pitted and chopped finely to distribute evenly through the dough.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- For a softer cookie, bake closer to 8 minutes; for a crisper cookie, bake up to 10 minutes.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
Keywords: Date Cookies, spiced cookies, pecan cookies, homemade cookies, holiday cookies, date nut cookies