Date Pinwheels

One of Grandma Helf's Christmas Cookies

Ingredients

Filling

  • 2-1/4 cups pitted dates, cut up
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup chopped nuts

Foundation

  • 1 cup margarine
  • 2 cups light brown sugar (sift if lumpy)
  • 3 eggs
  • 4 cups flour, sifted (plus a little more if needed)
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda

Directions

Filling

  1. Combine dates, sugar and water in saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until it forms a thick paste.
  2. Add nuts and cool.

Foundation

  1. Cream margarine and sugar until very light. Add eggs and mix well.
  2. Add flour, salt, and baking soda. Chill well.
  3. Divide into four parts and roll each on lightly floured surface into rectangles about 11x7 inches. Spread with filling. Roll tightly beginning with longer side. Wrap in waxed paper and chill again.
  4. Slice into 1/4" pieces and place on lightly greased cookie sheets.
  5. Bake at 400° for about 10 minutes.
  6. Remove to racks to cool.