PINWHEEL COOKIES WITH DATES RECIPES

Steps:

• Snip pitted whole dates. Place dates in a saucepan. Stir in water and 1/3 cup sugar. Bring to boiling, then reduce heat. Cook and stir about 2 minutes or until thickened. Then stir in lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Set the filling aside to cool.
• Beat butter or margarine and shortening with an electric mixer about 30 seconds or until softened. Add about half of the flour. Then add the 1/2 cup sugar, the brown sugar, egg, milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Beat until thoroughly combined, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally. Beat or stir in the remaining flour. Cover and chill about 1 hour or until easy to handle.
• To shape, divide the dough in half. Place each half of the dough between 2 sheets of parchment or waxed paper. Using a rolling pin, roll each half into a 12x10-inch rectangle. Remove top sheets of parchment or waxed paper.
• Spread date mixture over each half of the dough. From a long side, roll up each half into a spiral, removing bottom sheet of paper as you roll. Moisten and pinch edges to seal each roll. Wrap each in parchment or waxed paper or plastic wrap. Chill for 4 to 48 hours.
• Grease a cookie sheet; set aside. Cut the dough into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place slices 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until done. Remove cookies from cookie sheet and cool on a wire rack. Makes about 84 cookies.

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat sugar and shortening with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until well blended. Beat in milk, vanilla and eggs. On low speed, beat in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, scraping bowl occasionally, until dough forms. Stir in pecans, dates and 1/3 cup chopped cherries. If necessary, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 15 minutes for easier handling.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into cereal; coat thoroughly. Shape into balls. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Lightly press maraschino cherry quarter into top of each ball.
• Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.