Easy Date-Filled Cookies
Description
These soft cookies have a sweet date filling that's easy to make with chopped dates, sugar, water, and lemon juice.
Ingredients
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1 cup shortening
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1/2 cup white sugar
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1/2 cup packed brown sugar
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1 egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/3 cup white sugar
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2 cups dates, pitted and chopped
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1/2 cup water
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2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1 egg
Directions
1
In a large bowl, cream butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in one egg and vanilla extract. Combine the flour, baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt; mix into the sugar mixture until well blended. Divide dough in half, cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.
2
To make the filling: Combine dates, sugar, water, lemon juice, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a saucepan. Cook over low heat until mixture thickens.
3
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4
Roll out dough on a floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 of an inch. Cut out an even number of 2 ½-inch circles. Place half of the dough circles 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Brush circles lightly with water and place a tablespoonful of filling in the center of each one. Place the remaining circles on top and crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork. Make two tiny slits at the top of each cookie and brush the tops with beaten egg. Sprinkle with sugar if you like.
5
Bake 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly colored. Let cool on wire racks.