Maple Nut Filled Dates Recipes

MAPLE NUT DATE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in syrup (mixture will appear curdled). Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in dates, pecans and coconut. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle., Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks., In a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the cream, syrup, vanilla and maple flavoring until smooth. Frost cooled cookies.

MAPLE NUT-FILLED DATES

Steps:

• Cut dates in half lengthwise and remove pits. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon cheese into the cavity of each date half. Arrange dates on a serving plate.
• Melt butter in a 1- to 2-quart pan over low heat, then increase heat to medium and cook until butter is foamy and starting to brown. Add nuts and stir constantly for 1 minute. Add syrup and reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
• Lift nuts from the syrup with a slotted spoon and press a few pieces into the soft cheese in each date. Drizzle syrup over the dates and serve warm.

MAPLE DATE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Combine dates, water, and maple syrup in a heavy saucepan on medium heat.
• Bring to a boil and cook about 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid is absorbed and it looks like jam. Stir in the rind and remove from heat to cool completely.
• Cream the sugar and butter with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt, then stir into sugar mixture. (It will become crumbly) Press 2 cups flour mixture into bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Spread date mixture on top, then sprinkle with remaining flour mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

MA'AMOUL (MINIATURE DATE-NUT PASTRIES)

Steps:

• To make the filling, combine the dates, nuts, sugar, water and cinnamon in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook until the dates are soft and the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
• To make the dough, sift the flour into a bowl and mix in the salt. Gently stir in the butter. Add the rose water and enough milk to make the dough adhere without being crumbly, mixing just to combine.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Separate the dough into walnut-size pieces, about 1 1/4 inch long by 1 inch wide. Take 1 piece and gently roll it into a ball between your palms. Then make an indentation with your thumb, pinching the sides up to make a large thimble shape. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Fill the hollows with a scant teaspoon of the filling. Press the dough back over the filling to make a ball. Flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand and place all of them on a greased baking sheet.
• Decorate the top of each pastry with the tines of a fork -- straight lines are traditional. Bake for about 30 minutes; do not let the pastries brown. Let cool. Roll them in confectioners' sugar and store in an airtight tin.