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Orange Medjool Date Stuffed Spice Cookie

orange medjool date stuffed spice cookie
PREP: 1hr
YIELD: about 30 cookies

The smell of these freshly baked Orange Natural Delights® Medjool Date Stuffed Spice Cookies is oh-so-tempting.

Ingredients

  • Orange Date Filling
  • 1 cup Natural Delights® Medjool Dates, pitted and chopped (about 10 dates)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest
  • 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts (filberts)
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Cookies
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 pinch ground cloves
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. To prepare date filling, bring dates, juice and orange zest to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 8 minutes or until juice is absorbed and dates are very soft, stirring once. Remove from heat and stir to break up dates. Stir in hazelnuts and vanilla; set aside to cool.
  2. To prepare cookies, preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in a medium bowl. Beat together butter and sugars in a large bowl with a mixer until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Using a wooden spoon stir in flour mixture then, using hands, bring dough together into a soft mixture.
  3. Roll 1 level tbsp. of dough into a ball and flatten into a circle. Place 1 tsp. of date filling in the center and top with another circle of flattened dough; pinch edges to seal. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
  4. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 12 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutritional analysis per serving:

Calories: 150, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0g, MUFA: 2.05, PUFA:  0.33, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 55mg, Potassium: 145mg, Carbohydrates: 25g, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 17g, Protein: 2g, Vitamin A:  4%, Vitamin C:  2%, Calcium:  2%, Iron:  4%

*While Medjool dates are high in natural sugars, they are low on the glycemic index thanks to a balanced amount of soluble fiber. The complex carbohydrates found in Medjool dates are digested at a slower rate, making them a source of dietary fiber and releasing energy to the body over a longer period of time.