Date-Filled Cookie Wraps
Ingredients
COOKIES
- 4 oz half of 8-oz package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water
- 4 teaspoons coarse white sparkling sugar
DATE FILLING
- 1 box 8 oz chopped dates
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated orange peel
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- In large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy.
- On low speed, gradually beat in flour.
- On large piece of plastic wrap, form dough into 10×5-inch rectangle.
- Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, stir together dates, ½ cup water and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.
- Heat to boiling.
- Reduce heat to low; cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Cool 5 minutes.
- Stir in orange peel, vanilla and walnuts; set aside.
- Heat oven to 325°F.
- Line 2 cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper.
- Cut dough in half into 2 squares.
- On floured surface, roll 1 square of dough into 10-inch square.
- Using fluted pastry wheel, cut into 5 rows by 5 rows to create 25 (2-inch) squares.
- Spoon 1 teaspoon date mixture onto center of each 2-inch square.
- Bring 2 opposite corners of dough together, partially overlapping and covering date mixture.
- Using fingers dipped in water, press dough to seal.
- On cookie sheets, place dough wraps 1 inch apart.
- Repeat with other half of dough and remaining date mixture.
- In small bowl, beat egg white and 1 tablespoon water; brush onto dough wraps.
- Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until edges begin to turn light golden brown.
- Cool 2 to 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Festive Touch
A plate of these cookies wrapped in cellophane and a bow would make a wonderful hostess or thank-you gift. You could put them on a decorative paper plate or purchase a special plate at the store or a thrift shop.Nutritional Information
Calories: 60 kcal