Description
Soft, chewy Halloween Date Filled Cookies with a sweet, gooey date center — perfect for fall baking and festive parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Date Filling:
- 2 cups chopped dates
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cream shortening and sugars until fluffy. Add egg, milk, and vanilla. Mix well.
- Sift flour, baking soda, and salt, then add to the wet mixture. Chill dough for at least 1 hour for easier rolling.
- In a saucepan, combine chopped dates, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add lemon juice and salt. Let the mixture cool before using.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out half the dough to just under 1/8 inch thick. Cut shapes using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter or Halloween-themed cutters.
- Place one tablespoon of date filling in the center of each base cookie. Top with another cookie round, pressing the edges with a fork to seal.
- Arrange cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Cool before serving.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly for easier handling and rolling.
- Avoid overfilling the cookies to prevent leakage during baking.
- Use fun Halloween-shaped cutters for a festive look.
- For a spooky effect, cut small shapes like eyes or a jack-o’-lantern smile in the top cookie layer.
- Consider using parchment paper on your baking sheets for easier cleanup.
- Adding oatmeal to the dough creates a heartier cookie.
- Mixing chopped nuts into the filling adds a delightful crunch.
- A drizzle of melted dark chocolate over cooled cookies offers an indulgent touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg