Shirleys Date Nut Pinwheels Christmas Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs. In another bowl, whisk flour and baking soda; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough into 3 portions; shape each into a disk. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll., For filling, place dates, water and sugar in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until dates are tender and liquid is almost evaporated. Stir in walnuts; cool completely., Roll each dough portion between 2 sheets of waxed paper into a 12x10-in. rectangle. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Remove waxed paper. Spread a third of the filling over each rectangle. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Wrap securely. Refrigerate until firm., Preheat oven to 350°. Unwrap and cut dough crosswise into 1/3-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Steps:

• Date Filling:.
• Combine dates, sugar and water in a pan and cook until thick (about 10 mins.).
• Add nuts to mixture, mix, and let cool. Set aside.
• Cookie Dough:.
• Cream shortening and add brown sugar gradually.
• Add eggs, and beat well. Add to the other ingredients, and mix.
• Divide into 2 parts, and make 2 round balls.
• Chill for 1 hr., or until ready to bake.
• Preheat oven to 375.
• Make 4 balls from the 2 lg. balls of dough.
• Roll out dough to 1/4" thick, and spread date mixture all over the top to the edge of the dough.
• Roll into logs.
• Cut into slices 1/4" thick, and place on greased cookie sheet.
• Bake in 375 oven for 10-12 minutes.
• Cool on cookie racks and store in a plastic container with lid, or a cookie tin.

Steps:

• Cream the butter and brown sugar together in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Sift the cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and flour together in a second mixing bowl. Slowly stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture until evenly blended.
• Divide the dough evenly into three portions and place each on a square of waxed paper. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the filling by combine the dates, pecans, water and white sugar in a saucepan set over low heat. Cook and stir until the filling has a paste-like consistency. Cool slightly.
• Working with one portion at a time, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to make a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Spread 1/3 of the filling evenly over the dough; roll up to make a log. Repeat the process with the remaining dough. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly grease two baking sheets.
• Using a sharp, serrated knife, cut the rolls into 1/4 inch slices. Place the slices on prepared baking sheets.
• Bake in preheated oven until set and lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Cool on racks.

Steps:

• For filling, in a small saucepan combine dates, sugar, and water and bring to boiling.
• Cook an stir over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes or till thick.
• Remove from the heat.
• Stir in nuts and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
• Cool thoroughly.
• Meanwhile, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
• In a large mixing bowl beat shortening for 30 seconds.
• Add brown sugar and beat until fluffy.
• Add egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and beat well.
• Add flour mixture and beat until well mixed, stirring in last portion by hand.
• Cover and chill about 30 minutes or until easy to handle.
• On waxed paper roll dough into an 18x10 inch rectangle.
• Spread filling to within 1/2 inch of edges.
• Roll up jelly roll style, beginning at long side.
• Pinch edge to seal.
• Cut roll in half cross wise.
• Wrap rolls and chill for several hours or overnight.
• (Chill in a drinking glass to avoid flat side.) Cut in 1/4-inch slices.
• Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
• Bake in a 350 oven for 10-12 minutes or until done.
• Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute, then remove and cool thoroughly.

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown at edges, 3 minutes. Add mustard seeds and cook, stirring, until beginning to pop, 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients and 1/2 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 6 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before serving.