Orange Date Pinwheel Cookies Recipes

ORANGE DATE PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, combine the dates, 1/4 cup sugar, a pinch of salt, orange juice and water. Cook, stirring frequently until the dates have softened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon orange zest and pecans. When mixture has cooled, process in a food processor or blender until pecans are finely ground. Set aside.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and 3/4 teaspoon salt; set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, 1/2 cup white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time then stir in the vanilla and 2 teaspoons orange zest. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients to form a smooth dough. Divide dough into thirds, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm.
• Roll each third of the dough out into a rectangle 1/4 inch in thickness. Spread 1/3 of the filling over each rectangle leaving a 1 inch strip of dough uncovered on one of the long sides. Starting at the edge opposite of the uncovered strip, roll the dough up jellyroll style and press lightly to seal. Wrap the rolls in waxed paper and refrigerate until firm.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. slice chilled rolls of dough into coins about 1/4 inch thick. Place slices 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

DATE PINWHEELS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Divide into four portions. Refrigerate until chilled., In a large saucepan, bring the dates, sugar and water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook until mixture is thickened, about 15 minutes. Cool completely. Stir in pecans., On a baking sheet, roll out each portion of dough between two sheets of waxed paper into a 12x9-in. rectangle. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. , Remove waxed paper; spread with date mixture. Tightly roll up each portion jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm., Unwrap and cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, or freeze for up to 3 months.

CHEWY DATE AND WALNUT PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine dates, sugar and water in saucepan.
• Cook until thickened and dates have broken down to a paste about 5 minutes, stirring constantly (add water a tsp at a time if you feel it is sticking).
• Remove from heat and blend in lemon juice, lemon rind and the nuts.
• Set aside to cool thoroughly.
• Sift together flour, baking soda and salt.
• Cream the butter, brown sugar and orange rind.
• Beat in the egg and vinegar (the vinegar will slightly"curdle" the butter, don't worry this is normal).
• Blend in the dry ingredients (dough will be somewhat stiff).
• Chill dough several hours or overnight.
• On wax paper, roll dough into a 15x10 inch rectangle.
• Spread with the date mixture to within 1/4 inch of all sides.
• Starting with the long side of the dough roll as for jelly roll, using the wax paper to help you.
• Slice roll in half place on platter cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Slice into 1/4 inch thick slices and place on cookie sheet (grease the sheet if you are not using a non-stick sheet).
• Bake in 375F oven for 12 minutes until slightly golden (do not brown).
• Remove from oven and let sit on cookie sheet for 2 minutes before removing and cooling on rack.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese and sugar.
• Add the eggs, orange rind, and vanilla; mix well.
• Combine flour, salt and baking powder; add to the creamed mixture and blend well.
• Cover and chill for at least 4 hours; make sure dough is firm.
• In the mean time, combine all filling ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Set aside to cool.
• On a floured surface, divide dough in half; roll each half into a 12"x11" rectangle. Spread filling over rectangles of dough. Carefully roll up into tight jelly roll logs. Wrap logs in waxed paper.
• Chill overnight.
• Remove waxed paper; cut rolls into 1/4" slices. Place slices on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Remove cookies to wire racks to cool.