Egyptian Dance Intensive Date Pinwheel Cookies

October 28, 2008 11:24 AM

Those of you who happened to arrive early at Joe’s Movement Emporium on Saturday for the first day of the Egyptian Dance Intensive Master Class with Yousry Sharif might have sampled the cookies I made. I brought three dozen date-walnut cookies (dates seemed appropriate for an Egyptian Dance Intensive). They lasted almost ten minutes! It was a new recipe that I tried, and I have gotten such rave reviews and several recipe requests that I decided to post the recipe here. It is originally from Southern Living, and easy to make ahead.

Egyptian Dance Intensive Date Pinwheel Cookies
1 (10-ounce) package chopped dates (I had a package of whole dates that I chopped up, roughly)
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Stir together dates, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a saucepan; bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; simmer 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in walnuts, and set aside.

Beat remaining 1/2 cup sugar, softened butter, and brown sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, beating until blended. Gradually add remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, flour, and baking soda, beating until blended. Cover and chill 1 hour.

Turn dough out onto floured wax paper, and roll into an 18- x 12-inch rectangle. Spread date mixture evenly over dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border.

Roll up dough jellyroll fashion, beginning at 1 long side. Wrap in wax paper, and chill 1 hour.

Cut roll into 1/4-inch-thick slices; place on lightly greased baking sheets.

Bake, in batches, at 375° for 12 to 14 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool cookies 2 to 3 minutes on baking sheets, and remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: Makes 2 1/2 dozen
Southern Living, APRIL 2002

Enjoy!

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