This is my mom's recipe and one of her favorites. She made these cookies every Christmas and to make sure that she was serving "fresh from the oven" cookies, she would keep the dough in the freezer and slice off and bake a few at a time.
Ingredients
For the filling
2 1/4 cup dried date pieces
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup chopped walnuts
For the cookie
2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup shortening or butter
Instructions
Prepare the filling by chopping the dates coarsely (if whole). In medium saucepan, combine the chopped dates, sugar, water and nuts. Heat over medium heat until hot, stirring frequently until the mixture has the consistency of jam, about 20 minutes. Let the filling cool while you prepare the dough.
Cream brown sugar with shortening or butter. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Add dry ingredients.
Divide the dough into four equal parts. Wrap each section in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.
Roll each portion of dough to 3/8 inch thickness. Spread one-quarter of the date mixture onto the dough and roll up like a jelly roll.
Wrap the rolled dough in plastic wrap and chill for 24 hours. At this point the dough can be frozen to make individual "fresh from the oven" cookies.
Slice dough into 1/4 inch pieces. Place sliced cookies on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.