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.

Nutrition per serving