Date Cookies Menena Food

DATE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined, about 2 minutes.
• Add the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture. Mix on low speed until the flour is well incorporated. Stir in the pecans and dates.
• If time permits, cover the dough with plastic and chill for 2 hours or overnight. This allows the cookies to be thicker more chewy.
• Scoop the chilled dough using a spring-loaded cookie scoop onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. It should make about 48 cookies
• Bake 8-11 minutes, or until golden brown and cookie is puffed.
• Cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

BANANA COOKIES (WITH DATES AND NUTS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar and eggs.
• Add bananas and vanilla, mix well.
• Add the rest of the ingredients, with dates and nuts last.
• Drop dough onto cookie sheet (sprayed with non-stick spray), and flatten slightly.
• Bake 12 minutes or until done.

EGYPTIAN EL MENENAS (ALMOND PASTE COOKIES)

Steps:

• Add sugar to the almond paste; mix well. Add 1 teaspoons orange flower water and cinnamon to taste (at least 1/2 tsp). Blend well into a smooth paste.
• In a bowl, combine melted butter with flour. Add the other teaspoons of orange flower water. Knead into a dough that holds together. Do not add any water unless absolutely necessary.
• Form balls about 1.5 - 2 inches round. Make a depression in the center of each ball with your thumb. Fill hole with almond paste.
• Place on a greased baking sheet and bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until nicely browned. Sprinkle with grandulated sugar.
• VARIATION: A date filling can be substituted for the almond one. Chop 1/2 lb. pitted dates and combine into a paste with 4 T. soft butter.

DATE DROP COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• In large bowl, combine first 4 ingredients; beat well.
• (Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.) Add flour and soda; mix well.
• Stir in dates and nuts.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

GRANDMA'S DATE FILLED COOKIES

Steps:

• Mix in a sauce pan the dates, sugar and TBSP of flour, water, and lemon juice. Cook this for about 5 minutes on a medium heat, until all are blended well.
• Mix together the shortening, sugar, and eggs.
• Stir in the 2 Tbsps. thick cream and l teaspoons vanilla.
• Sift together the 2 1/2 cups of flour, baking soda and salt. Add to shortening mix to form dough.
• Chill dough for at least 1 to 2 hours.
• Roll out dough in thin layers in small batches and cut with round cookie cutter.
• Put mixture (about a tbsp.) in the center between 2 thin cookies pressed together.
• Bake at 350 degrees on lightly greased sheet pan for 8-10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.

DATE FILLED OATMEAL COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar together well.
• Slowly mix in milk.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• Mix well.
• Chill for 1 hour.
• Roll out fairly thin on lightly floured board.
• Cut into 2 1/2-inch rounds.
• Place on ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake in 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes.
• Cool.
• Fill with Date Filling, to form a sandwich.
• For date filling: combine dates, sugar and water in saucepan.
• Bring to a boil.
• Simmer, stirring often, until mushy and thickened.
• Add more water if too dry, or simmer longer if too runny.
• Cool and spread between cookies.