It’s that time of the year again when I open up a Christmas Bakery in my own little kitchen to do labor of love. Baking has always been one of my favorite hobbies but baking Christmas cookies goes into a special category. I try to involve the whole family in the process. Kids and I are usually mixing, baking, assembling, decorating and guess who is tasting? The man of the house! That was easy to predict, wasn’t it? 😀 These cookies are one of my favorites. You should try and see how date and orange filling fits perfectly into the cream cheese pastry!
Date-Orange Swirl Cookies
[printable recipe]
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cup dates (pitted and finely chopped)
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 TBSP butter
- 3 cups + 1 TBSP all purpose flour
- 2 TSP vanilla extract
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 TSP baking soda
- 1/2 TSP salt
Preparation:
- Mix dates, orange juice, sugar, butter and 1 TBSP flour in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook stirring often, for about 10 minutes or until thick. Add 1 TSP vanilla; set aside.
- Beat brown sugar, cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until creamy. Add eggs and remaining TSP vanilla; beat 2 minutes.
- Combine remaining 3 cups flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Add to cream cheese mixture and stir until blended. Divide dough in half. Roll one half of the dough on a lightly floured surface into 12 X 9 inch rectangle. Spread half date mixture over dough and tightly roll it up jelly-roll style. Wrap in plastic wrap and leave it in the freezer for at least 1 hour. Repeat with remaining dough and date mixture.
- Preheat oven to 350 F ( ). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Cut dough into 1/4 inch slices. Place them 1 inch apart and bake about 12 minutes or until golden.
Bon Appétit!
bakingwithsibella.com 
Busy baking for all of us this time of year. This looks like a great addition to the sweets catalog.
Thanks Darryl! I am curious to what baked goodies are you preparing this time of the year! 🙂
My Christmas Bakery has been in full swing, too! These are so pretty and I bet they taste awesome.
Thank you Korena! These really taste fantastic! I’ve been thinking of you today and I can’t wait to see what have you been creating in your Christmas Bakery! 🙂
Another beautiful treat! Thanks Sibella 🙂
Thank you so much Angie! I am heading over to your place to see what’s cookin’! 🙂
Thanks! I hope you see something you like! 🙂
Sibella, you had me at dates, orange juice and cream cheese. Happy baking!
Thanks Kathleen! What’s baking in your kitchen this time of the year? 🙂
Selena, I start early in December and freeze cake layers and cookie doughs. So far, I have layers for Candy Cane Christmas Cake and dough for Gingerbread Cookies and Candy Cane Cookies. I’ll be blogging on them after the job is finished! Meanwhile, check out the Peanut Butter Cup Brownies I made and recently blogged.
Mmmm, all sound so delicious to me. I will check out your peanut butter cup brownies!
If you husband ever needs a day off as QA tester I will gladly take over his role. Take care, BAM
Haha, I doubt that he will ever give up that position! 😀 Hugs to you friend from the cold and rainy Midwest!
Hi Sibella, these spiral cookies sound interesting and tasty!