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Just a few more days until Christmas…can you believe it? If you are anything like me, the time has gone too fast! Each year I seem to have more I want to do before Christmas and every year seems to give less time to do it all! But do not worry – I extend my season well into the New Year (even though the marketers do not).
Here is one last hurrah of my favorite Christmas cookie that is truly a staple, at least in my family. It’s one of those treats we must make every year for it to feel like Christmas. All my treats and candies are given as gifts and used at my parties throughout the season, adorning plates and perched on our tables, looking about as pretty as they are delicious!
These date and nut pinwheels are perfectly light, simple, and utterly delicious.
I hope this cookie warms your home and brightens your plate of Christmas goodies. Bring a neighbor or loved one a smile with your baked wonders. What a wonderful way to let someone know you’re thinking of them and wishing them a joyous season!
Happy baking!
Watch how to make these pinwheel cookies:
Date & Nut Pinwheels
Ingredients
For the filling
- ½ lb pitted dates
- ⅓ cup water
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup chopped, toasted walnuts
For the cookies
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Chop the pitted dates into small pieces. Put dates in a saucepan along with the water, maple syrup, orange zest, and orange juice. Lightly boil for five minutes until the mixture is thick. Remove from heat and set aside to cool to room temperature. Once cool, stir in chopped walnuts.
- In a mixer, combine the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Mix on medium until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add one egg and mix to combine, 1 minute.
- To the mixer, add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix until no dry streaks remain, 1-2 minutes. Put pastry dough in the refrigerator and chill slightly, minimum 1 hour.
- Roll out dough on floured parchment paper to a roughly 12×14-inch rectangle.
- Spoon the cooked and cooled date mixture on top of the dough. Spread evenly to all edges.
- Use the parchment paper to slowly lift the dough and date mixture, rolling it like a jelly roll. Once rolled, place in the refrigerator until well chilled, 4-6 hours (or overnight).
- Cut chilled dough into ¼-inch pieces with a sharp knife and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes at 375°F until golden.
I just love your enthusiasm for sharing your vintage recipes- I remember eating cookies my grandma made that looked just like these- like 50 years ago!!! Thank you sharing your family recipes – they are bringing up memories for me from long, long ago!
Just put dough in the fridge for overnight. So excited for these…the filling is absolutely delicious!
I made these cookies last night and am baking them this morning. My dough was drier than yours and kept falling apart. What should I do next time to make the dough less dry? I did try to add a little water, but that didn’t help much.
I was fortunate enough to bump into you on Facebook. I absolutely love your posts and your dreamy Kitchen (so jealous!) anyway, I tried this recipe and these cookies are the bomb, so good, they will be a Christmas tradition from now on! Thanks for sharing
My mom used to bake these cookies every Christmas and I lost her recipe. These were one of mine and my dads favorite cookies. I have lost both of my parents so listening to you talk about your family is so refreshing. I’m so glad I found your site because you bake a lot of the old time cookies that I remember from my childhood which was over sixty years ago.
I love hearing your stories about your grandmother and what she loved, and for the holidays, just brings back so many memories. Thank you for sharing your home, your memories, and your recipes.
OMG!!! This cookie has been a staple in my husband’s family for over 45 years and my sister-in-law is the only one that makes them. We all love her pinwheels and ask for them every Christmas. It is wonderful to have you demonstrate how to make them. You made it look easy. I love your cooking and decorating videos and look forward to every one you do. Keep them coming !!!❤️
Oh my gosh I was shocked to see the video of this recipe. It’s my favorite cookie, my mom’s favorite, and was my grandmother’s favorite! I make it at Christmas every year and have never met anyone else who makes it. Those who receive it on my Christmas cookie platters have no idea what it is (I don’t even think some of them know what dates are). Your recipe is identical to my grandma’s except for the addition of the orange zest and juice. Grandma just used extra water in her filling. I feel like a traitor, but I like your version better. That little bit of orange flavor just takes it over the top. Sorry grandma… Thanks so much for introducing so many people to this classic and sooooo delicious cookie 🙂
I watched your video 🙂 it was fabulous you are fabulous Thanks
I have followed some of your other videos – you are so informative that even makes husband has made some
Thanks
Love these!! I substitute chopped dates in my oatmeal raisin cookies. Talk about delicious . . .
I am a huge fan and want to thank you for your videos. You have been a great companion through all this Covid isolation.
I grew up on a farm and appreciate your updates on classics. Particularly combined with gardening and canning.
I’d already decided to make date and nut filled cookies and voila! You already posted. This was my favorite childhood cookie. Most days I just snack on dates and nuts raw, so this is for gifts and a treat.
Muah!
My mom use to make these cookies at Christmas time. What a wonderful surprise when I was watching your videos and saw this recipe. I just made them this evening. Every recipe I’ve made of yours turns our so flavorful. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas
A new favourite! Thank you!
Everyone in my family loved these cookies…. My daughter said she thinks this is the best cookie she has ever tasted!!! Thank you for sharing your recipes