Date Nut Pinwheel Cookies I

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups pitted dates
• 0.25 cups white sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1.25 cups water
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice
• 0.67 cups finely chopped walnuts
• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.75 teaspoons salt
• 0.75 cups butter
• 0.5 cups white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

1. 1

   Chop pitted dates in food chopper. Place dates into small saucepan and add 1/4 cup sugar, dash of salt, and 1 1/4 cups of water. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture is of a soft consistency. Remove from heat.

2. 2

   Add grated lemon rind, lemon juice, and chopped nuts. Mix well and chill.

3. 3

   Cream together 3/4 cup butter and gradually add 1/2 cup white sugar and 1cup lightly packed brown sugar. Beat well. Beat 2 eggs until thick and add to creamed mixture part at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla.

4. 4

   Measure into a sifter 3 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Sift together twice. Sift dry ingredients into creamed mixture about 1/4 at a time. Combine thoroughly after each addition. Chill until firm.

5. 5

   Divide dough into 3 parts. Roll out 1 part at a time into a rectangle. Spread with date filling. Roll up jelly roll fashion in waxed paper. Chill several hours.

6. 6

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

7. 7

   With sharp knife, slice 1/4 inch thick slices off of rolls and place on greased cookie sheets. Bake 10 - 13 minutes. Let cool.