Date Pinwheel Ice Box Cookies

This recipe for date cookies goes back to my earliest memories of my Mother's kitchen.  I can so clearly see her standing at the counter with a rolling pin in her hands, forming the logs that she wrapped in waxed paper and put into the refrigerator to chill. Yesterday I took a small plate of these cookies to my Mom when I visited her in her assisted living community, and when she saw these little date spirals her eyes lit up and she had a big smile because she recognized them too.  We shared a few long ago memories of days when we lived on a farm and she could see me from the kitchen window racing my horse as fast as I could go the full length of the pasture near the house.  I rode bareback in those days and it was a miracle I didn't kill myself.  It seems funny to both of us now.

So...I hope you enjoy these delicious cookies.  If you like dates you will love this recipe.  It's been a favorite in my family for over fifty years.  Often old recipes are the best because there are memories attached to them.

Date Pinwheel Ice Box Cookies
Printable Recipe


1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 recipe Date Filling

Thoroughly cream together butter and sugars. Add egg and vanilla; beat well.  Sift together dry ingredients; stir into creamed mixture.  Chill.  Divide dough in half.

On a lightly floured surface roll one part in 12x 8 inch rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Trim edges of the dough. Spread half of the Date Filling over dough.  Begin at long edge, roll like a jelly roll.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Wrap rolls in plastic wrap and chill for several hours.  Slice 1/4 inch thick.  Bake on greased cookie sheet at 400 degrees for about 8 minutes.

Date Filling:
In saucepan combine 1 pound pitted, chopped dates, 1/2 half cup sugar, and 1/2 cup orange juice.  Cook and stir until mixture boils and thickens and becomes spreadable.  If it gets too thick add a more orange juice.  If you like nuts add 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or hazelnuts.

I'm linking my post today to Michael Lee's Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum.