Date Cookies

Are you looking for a yummy cookie that’s low in calories and tastes moist and sweet? This date cookie recipe is made from pantry staples and items you probably already have in the fridge, like low-fat milk, butter and an egg. If you like a chewy cookie, this might be your new favorite.

Baking with dates is an easy way to swap out the sugar for a healthy and natural sweetener. Dates are loaded with fiber, protein, potassium and magnesium. Did you know that these are dried fruits? They resemble raisins but are slightly bigger and plumper.

Ingredients for Date Cookies 

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• Butter: Make sure your stick of butter is softened at room temperature before using. This makes it easier to combine ingredients.
• Brown Sugar: By packing brown sugar into a measuring cup, you get rid of air pockets.
• Egg: This moistener is the “glue” that holds the recipe together.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is also known as traditional flour, standard flour sold at grocery stores.
• Whole Wheat Flour: The flour contains a higher amount of fiber than traditional flour, increasing the recipe’s healthiness.
• Lemon Zest: Don’t worry. Lemon zest won’t turn your cookies yellow or make them taste lemony. This ingredient brightens up the flavor profile.
• Baking Powder: Acting as a leavening agent, baking powder allows your cookies to rise.
• Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon should be ground and not a whole cinnamon stick. You can buy pre-ground cinnamon in the spice aisle at grocery stores.
• Ground Nutmeg: Nutmeg adds a subtle nuttiness to this cookie recipe that’s also slightly sweet.
• Salt: Use table salt, not rock salt or any kind o,f flavored salt. In a technical way, this finely ground table salt helps accent other flavors in the recipe and assists with browning your cookies. It’s also easier to disperse than a chunky salt.
• Fat-Free Milk: The reason you want to use fat-free milk is to keep this recipe healthy; it essentially has less fat than whole milk.
• Chopped Dates: You can either buy whole dates and chop them yourself or buy dates that are already chopped.

Directions

Step 1: Combine butter, brown sugar and egg

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In a large bowl, mix the butter and brown sugar together and then add the egg.

Step 2: Zest the lemon

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Opt for the finest grater possible and grate the lemon peel until you have 2 teaspoons.

Step 3: Mix the dry ingredients

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In a separate bowl, combine the flours, lemon zest, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

Test Kitchen/Editor’s Tip: Finely grating a whole nutmeg gives you the freshest nutmeg possible as opposed to nutmeg in a spice jar. Just be sure to stop grating once you have the amount you need. It’s fine to store the rest of the nutmeg for later.

Step 4: Combine the wet and dry ingredients

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Add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed mixture in batches, adding milk in between. After each addition beat the mixture well to ensure the ingredients are blended evenly.

Step 5: Bake the cookies

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Drop the batter in rounded teaspoonfuls two inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 325°F for 13 to 15 minutes or until the cookies look golden brown. Remove cookies from the oven and cool them for a few minutes before moving to wire racks, a plate or a container to cool before eating.

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Date Cookies Variations

• Add dried cranberries: Inject a bit of tartness with dried cranberries and add about 1-1/2 cups to this recipe.
• Sweeten up with chocolate: You can add 1/2 cup of dark, milk or white chocolate chunks to the batter or—to keep the recipe as healthy as possible, including vegan—cacao nibs.

How to Store Date Cookies

As long as you store the cookies in a air-tight container at room temperature, they will stay fresh. Don’t store them in the refrigerator: this will harden them.

Can you freeze date cookies?

As long as you store the cookies in a reusable freezer bag or an air-tight container you’re locking in their freshness. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw until they’re at room temperature and then enjoy.

How long do date cookies last?

At room temperature, date cookies will last for about two or three weeks. After this, they will taste dry.

Can you make date cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! Simply mix the batter and store in a covered container in the fridge. Because this recipe has a raw egg, it’s recommended to bake the cookies within a day of doing the prep work.

How do you reheat the date cookies?

If you want that “just out of the oven” flavor and texture, reheat one (or a few) cookies in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Date Cookies Tips

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Can I use whole milk instead?

Any dairy milk can be used interchangeably, except plant-based milk. If all you have (or prefer) is whole milk, or you prefer that, using this type of milk won’t alter the recipe. The reason why fat-free milk is suggested is because it’s a healthier milk best suited for a healthy-cookie recipe.

Can I turn these into bars?

Yes. Pour the batter into an 8×8-inch square or 9×13-inch rectangular baking pan so it’s between 3/4 and 1 inch in thickness and then bake it according to the original recipe.

How do I make these cookies more chewy?

The more moist the batter, the chewier the cookie. One way to tweak this recipe is to add 1 tablespoon of molasses or honey.