Dates are delicious any time of year. But when combined with pecans and cinnamon, dates really take on a seasonal vibe that is well suited for both Autumn and Winter. These Date Pinwheel Cookies take full advantage of the depth of flavor dates possess.
Date Pinwheel Cookies are Delicious and Easy to Make
Our Date Pinwheel Cookies are especially good dunked in a cold glass of milk.
The body of the cookie is buttery, flaky, and tender – a scrumptious contrast to the thick, rich, sweetness of the date/nut layer of the pinwheel. Dates are so sweet, they can quickly become overwhelming. But in these cookies, the ratio is just right.
These Date Pinwheel Cookies are not only delicious – they are special. Bake up a batch for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas parties, or even to give as gifts. These pretty little pinwheels look like you took extra time to make something amazing, and they taste that way, too. And if you know someone who is a fan of pecan pie, be sure to share some of these cookies with them.
Make our Date Nut Pinwheel Cookies ahead of time
One thing I love about these cookies – besides the flavor – is that you make them in advance. That can be pretty handy when you are making cookies for a party or snacks. It means that you get all the hard work done the day before your event – and then your cookie dough chills overnight in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to make them, you just slice them and bake – easy as can be.
It may be the easiest thing about your entire day!
More Christmas Cookies to bake!
I teamed up with some of my blogger friends to create some delicious new cookie recipes for you to enjoy. We’ve had a lot of fun baking these goodies, and I hope you enjoy them. You can find more of my recipes (and my friends’ too) on my recipes for Soft Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies and M&M Oatmeal Cookies.
Christmas Crunch Cookies
Rice Krispies get too much credit for making yummy desserts in my book. I say, bring on the Cap'n Crunch! These delicious Christmas Crunch Cookies are as fun as they are tasty, and are made with a seasonal Cap'n Crunch,
Grinch Sugar Cookies
The kids (and we know, adults too) love these Grinch Sugar Cookies. They are an absolute hit at parties, and they make a great gift too! Decorating them is really easy with our step-by-step instructions.
Snickerdoodles - Mama's Jumbo Bakery Quality Cookie Recipe
When you ask people what their favorite cookies are, inevitably, you'll hear Snickerdoodles mentioned. They are simply a classic. It's a yummy, cake-like cinnamon and sugar cookie that hits the spot.
Christmas Sandwich Cookies
Red and green cookie dough swirled together makes our Christmas Sandwich Cookies really stand out. Surprisingly simple to make, they are great to serve by the plate for your holiday parties and events.
Chocolate Turtle Cookies
I love a decadent turtle candy, so naturally, making a Chocolate Turtle Cookie is going to be on my list. It ticks so many of my favorite flavor boxes: chocolate, caramel, and pecan. and when they're still a bit warm out of the oven. Oh dear. I'm in trouble.
M&M Oatmeal Cookies in a Jar DIY with Free Printable Gift Tag
M&M Oatmeal Cookies are a great cookie recipe to make with the kids. Especially if you've made a jar or two of them to have them ready. Simply mix in fresh wet ingredients with the jar's contents, and it's a great way to help your kids learn how to bake.
Santa Sugar Cookies
When you're making sugar cookies, be sure to save some aside to make these adorable Santa Sugar Cookies. Decorated with fondant and buttercream, they are much simpler to make than it may appear.
Soft Chocolate Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies
These Soft Chocolate Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies melt in your mouth when take a bite. The flavors blend together perfectly, and the texture is just a little bit of heaven.
Ingredients to Make Date Pinwheel Cookies
It’s always a good idea to measure your ingredients before you begin the recipe. It saves a lot of time!
- 4 cups sifted flour
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ½ cup shortening
- ½ cup butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 10 oz pitted dates
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
Additional Items:
- Stand or hand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Parchment or plastic wrap
How to make Date Pinwheel Cookies
- Cream together shortening and butter in mixing bowl.
- Add brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Beat well.
- Mix in dry ingredients.
- Divide dough into two portions and set aside.
- Chop dates and add to a medium cooking pot, along with the sugar and water. Bring to a boil and simmer until thick. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Chop pecans and add to date mixture.
- Roll one portion of dough into a rectangle 1/8” inch thick.
We like using a marble rolling pin for cookie dough. We find that the dough doesn’t stick to a marble pin as easily as it does to a wooden one.
- Spread half of the date mixture on the cookie dough.
Add a layer of dates and pecans on top of the rolled cookie dough.
- Roll from the short side into a log. Roll into parchment paper or plastic wrap. Repeat with the other half of the dough and remaining date mixture.
Using the parchment paper to wrap the log will help hold its shape while you’re chilling the dough.
- Place both logs in the refrigerator overnight.
- Slice the cookie dough logs into 1/2” slices. Place on cookie sheet.
You’ll want to cut your cookies into even slices so that they will cook evenly.
- Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes.
- Cool on wire racks and enjoy!
More Holiday baked goods to enjoy
- Slow Cooker Gingerbread Cake
- Chocolate Brownies with White Chocolate Peppermint Ganache
- Cookies and Cream Fudge
- Pecan Pie Fudge
- Red Velvet Poke Cake
- Chocolate Mint Oreo Brownies
- Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites
try it and share!
Please let us know how you enjoy our Soft Chocolate Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies recipe. If you make it yourself, please let us know on Pinterest that you tried it and tag us with #theawesomemuse on your Instagram photo. If you haven’t had a chance to make it yet, be sure to save the recipe on Pinterest so you’ll remember where you found it.
You may enjoy following our Pinterest Board, Dessert Recipes.
You’ll want to eat these delicious Date Pinwheel Cookies by the stack! They are so good and are perfect to leave out for Santa with a big glass of milk.
Date Pinwheel Cookies
Equipment
- Stand or hand mixer
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment or plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 4 cups sifted flour
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ½ cup shortening
- ½ cup butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 10 oz pitted dates
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Cream together shortening and butter in mixing bowl.
- Add brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Beat well.
- Mix in dry ingredients.
- Divide dough into two portions and set aside.
- Chop dates and add to a medium cooking pot, along with the sugar and water. Bring to a boil and simmer until thick. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Chop pecans and add to date mixture.
- Roll one portion of dough into a rectangle 1/8” inch thick.
- Spread half of the date mixture on the cookie dough.
- Roll from the short side into a log. Roll into parchement paper or plastic wrap. Repeat with the other half of the dough and remaining date mixture.
- Place both logs in the refridgerator overnight.
- Slice the cookie dough logs into 1/2” slices. Place on cookie sheet.
- Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes.
- Cool on wire racks.
Jane says
My daughter made some of these over the holidays, and I’ve asked her to make them again! They were really tasty!