Citrus Infused Chewy Date & Walnut Pinwheel Cookies
Indulge in these delightful Citrus Infused Chewy Date & Walnut Pinwheel Cookies, where sweet meets citrus in a harmonious blend. The chewy texture of the dates is elevated by the rich nuttiness of walnuts, while the added freshness of orange and lemon zest provides a zesty brightness that cuts through the sweetness. This recipe stands apart from traditional pinwheel cookies, thanks to the unique addition of vinegar, which contributes to the dough's tenderness and flavor depth. Perfect for making ahead of time, these cookies freeze beautifully, making them an excellent choice for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a batch of these scrumptious cookies!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
pitted diced dates
3/4 cup (diced)
sugar
6 tablespoons
water
6 tablespoons
lemon juice
2 teaspoons
grated fresh lemon rind
1/2 teaspoon (grated)
finely chopped or ground walnuts
1/2 cup (finely chopped or ground)
egg
1
sifted flour
2 cups (sifted)
baking soda
1/4 teaspoon
salt
1/4 teaspoon
butter
2/3 cup (softened)
packed brown sugar
1 1/4 cups
grated orange rind
1 1/2 teaspoons (grated)
vinegar
1 tablespoon
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine the diced dates, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and the dates break down into a paste, about 5 minutes. If the mixture becomes too thick, add water a teaspoon at a time to prevent sticking.
2
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the lemon juice, grated lemon rind, and finely chopped or ground walnuts. Allow the mixture to cool thoroughly.
3
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
4
In another bowl, cream together the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and grated orange rind until light and fluffy.
5
Beat in the egg and vinegar into the creamed mixture. Note that the vinegar may cause the butter to slightly curdle, which is perfectly normal.
6
Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a stiff dough forms. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
7
Once chilled, place the dough between two sheets of wax paper and roll it out into a rectangle approximately 15x10 inches in size.
8
Spread the cooled date mixture evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a 1/4 inch border on all sides.
9
Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log, using the wax paper to assist. Slice the roll in half and place it on a platter. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
10
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
11
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and slice it into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Place these on a greased or non-stick cookie sheet.
12
Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Avoid over-baking to maintain the chewy texture.
13
Let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for about 2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Citrus Infused Chewy Date & Walnut Pinwheel Cookies?
They are a delightful dessert featuring a sweet date and walnut filling rolled into a citrus-scented dough, creating a beautiful spiral pattern.
What makes these pinwheel cookies unique?
This recipe stands apart due to the addition of vinegar in the dough for tenderness and a bright flavor profile from both orange and lemon zest.
How do I make the date filling?
In a saucepan, cook diced dates, sugar, and water over medium heat until a paste forms, then stir in lemon juice, lemon rind, and walnuts.
What should I do if the date mixture gets too thick while cooking?
If the mixture becomes too thick and starts to stick, add water one teaspoon at a time while stirring constantly until it reaches the desired consistency.
What ingredients are in the filling besides dates?
The filling includes sugar, water, lemon juice, grated lemon rind, and finely chopped or ground walnuts.
Can I use ground walnuts for the filling?
Yes, the recipe suggests using either finely chopped or ground walnuts to be stirred into the cooled date mixture.
Do I need to sift the flour?
Yes, the recipe specifies sifting the flour together with the baking soda and salt before mixing.
What is the purpose of vinegar in the cookie dough?
Vinegar is used to contribute to the dough's tenderness and to add a subtle depth of flavor to the cookies.
Why does my butter look curdled after adding vinegar?
It is perfectly normal for the butter to slightly curdle when the egg and vinegar are added to the creamed mixture; it will smooth out once dry ingredients are blended in.
How long should I chill the dough before rolling?
The dough should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and chilled in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
What size should I roll the dough into?
Roll the chilled dough out into a rectangle that is approximately 15x10 inches in size.
How do I roll the dough into a pinwheel shape?
After spreading the filling, roll the dough tightly into a log starting from one long side, using wax paper to help guide the process.
Why do I need to chill the log after rolling?
Chilling the rolled log for one hour in the refrigerator firms up the dough, making it much easier to slice into clean rounds.
What temperature should I bake the cookies at?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before baking the sliced cookie rounds.
How long do these cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for approximately 12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden.
How do I ensure the cookies stay chewy?
To maintain the chewy texture, avoid over-baking the cookies and remove them from the oven as soon as the edges are golden.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, these cookies are excellent for making ahead of time and they freeze beautifully for future serving.
Are these cookies suitable for holidays?
Yes, their festive appearance and unique citrus-date flavor make them an excellent choice for holiday gatherings.
How thick should I slice the cookie rounds?
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and slice the log into rounds that are 1/4 inch thick.
Should I use a greased cookie sheet?
Yes, place the rounds on a greased or non-stick cookie sheet to prevent them from sticking during baking.
How long should the cookies cool on the pan?
Let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for about 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Where is the orange flavor found in this recipe?
Grated orange rind is creamed directly into the dough mixture along with the butter and brown sugar.
What type of sugar is used in the dough?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of packed brown sugar to be creamed with the butter.
What is the best way to roll out the dough without sticking?
Place the dough between two sheets of wax paper to roll it out into the required rectangle size.
Can I substitute the walnuts?
While walnuts provide a specific rich nuttiness, you could likely substitute other finely chopped nuts if preferred.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 14 total ingredients, ranging from the date filling components to the citrus-infused dough items.
What type of butter should be used?
The recipe requires 2/3 cup of softened butter to ensure it creams properly with the sugar.
Is the date mixture used hot or cold?
The date mixture should be allowed to cool thoroughly before being spread onto the rolled-out dough.
Should I leave a border when spreading the filling?
Yes, leave a 1/4 inch border on all sides of the dough rectangle when spreading the filling to ensure a clean roll.
What citrus fruits are used in this recipe?
Both fresh lemon (juice and rind) and orange (rind) are used to provide a zesty brightness.