These Pinwheel Cookies have always been a favorite with their delicious date and nut filling.
Here we are on the fourth day of our Christmas week already. Today I wanted to do pinwheel cookies, lots of ideas were swimming around in my head but I came across my container of dates and then knew I wanted to do an old-fashioned date and nut pinwheel.
Something that I have never made before but knew I would love due to the rich delicious dates and wonderful flavors from the walnuts.
Going Old School
The cookie dough for this recipe is called Caramel Refrigerator Cookies and it tastes amazing, it was one of the best cookies from 1940-1945 according to Betty Crocker!!
The recipe is adapted from Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book, love how they spelled cookie. This cookbook I got from my dear friend Nan who collects all sorts of wonderful vintage items and then sells them with her daughter Courtney.
They call themselves “The Kitschy Chicks”. So much fun, I love going to their sales!! Always find lots!!
Look at the size of those dates, love them!!
Pinwheel Cookies
Ingredients
Caramel Refrigerator Cookie
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp. soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Date and Nut Filling
- 3/4 lb. moist pitted dates chopped
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 cup walnuts finely chopped
Instructions
- For the dough, in a standup mixer with a paddle attachment mix butter and sugar together. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well. Whisk flour, soda, and salt together and add, mix well.
- Remove dough from bowl and divide in half. Wrap each half in plastic wrap. Chill for 1/2 hour.
- To make the filling mix the dates, water, and sugar together in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low until the dates have dissolved slightly and the mixture is thickened. Stirring constantly. Set aside to cool.
- Roll each half of dough on wax paper with a floured rolling pin into an 11×7" rectangle.
- Divide the cooled date and nut filling between the two rectangles and spread evenly over the dough. Beginning at the wide end and using the wax paper to help, roll the dough up tightly.
- Pinch edge to seal. Wrap the logs now up in the wax paper and refrigerate for several hours.
- Preheat the oven to 400F and slice the logs into 1/4" slices. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 8-10 min. until lightly browned.
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book
Comments & Reviews
Judy says
Thank you for the recipe. I made these and thought I’d share a review. The taste is delicious, though the date filling was a little sweet for my taste. My cookies spread and domed a little and did not hold their shape like yours. My dough was cold when i put the pinwheels into the oven to bake as well. I lowered the temp to 375 on the second batch and it was a little better. But if i where to bake them again, i’d try it at 350 for a longer baking time. The filling is quite thick so I rolled it out between two pieces of cling wrap and placed ot on the dough before rolling (instead of spreading it). The cookies are chewy and a little soft in the middle.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Judy for coming over to give a review, I really appreciate it!! They did cook quickly at that high temp. but I didn’t have any troubles with them. I will make them again as I love dates and I hope you do too!! Cheers, Tara
Judy says
Thank you for the recipe. I made these and thought I’d share a review. The taste is delicious, though the date filling was a little sweet for my taste. My cookies spread and domed a little and did not hold their shape like yours. My dough was cold when i put the pinwheels into the oven to bake as well. I lowered the temp to 375 on the second batch and it was a little better. But if i where to bake them again, i’d try it at 350 for a longer baking time. The filling is quite thick so I rolled it out between two pieces of cling wrap and placed ot on the dough before rolling (instead of spreading it). The cookies are chewy and a little soft in the middle.
Samantha @FerraroKitchen says
Love these!!! Love dates and always wanted to make pinwheel cookies….you make the best things Tara 🙂
Sarah M. says
I’d make a roasted chicken! Then I could use it in recipes all week long.
Val says
I would make ham scalloped potatoes. YUM! That is a GORGEOUS dish.
Dina says
they look delish!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you so much!!
Hezzi-D says
These are adorable! Love them!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much for coming over!!
Laureen King says
Enjoying all the Christmas recipes you’ve been sharing Tara.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Laureen!!
Tammie says
I would make baked macaroni and cheese. A terrific comfort food for cold weather. Love this casserole dish. Your cookie looks wonderful. This was my mother’s favorite cookie.
Noshing with the Nolands says
They are a very traditional cookies, I loved making them. Thanks Tammie!
carolinaheartstrings says
Baked Ziti. That would taste wonderful in this casserole. Love it.
Noshing with the Nolands says
🙂
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
These look amazing, Tara! I can see why these were a favorite!
Happy day #4!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank Jen!!
The Ninja Baker says
I love food with history – especially sweets. Thank you Tara for sharing this recipe…Dates always remind me of my grandmother, Nona, who made delicious date nut cookies =) Anyway, your pinwheels are very, very pretty =)
Noshing with the Nolands says
I love when recipe evoke memories or even ingredients. Thanks so much Kim!!
Liz says
I’ve been looking for a tried and true date pinwheel cookie for years! Pinning!!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Liz it is a good one!!
Julie says
roast with potatoes and carrots
thanks
Veronica McLaughlin Gantley says
Your swirl cookies look absolutely amazing. It sure would be nice to enjoy them with coffee.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Veronica!!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
omigoodness, caramel refrigerator cookies??? and then swirly deliciousness??? YUM!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Kayle!!