Date Pinwheel Cookies

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Date Pinwheel Cookies are so good, they are hard to resist!

Dates are delicious any time of year.

But when combined with pecans and cinnamon, dates really take on a seasonal vibe that is well suited for both Autumn and Winter.

These cookies take full advantage of the depth of flavor dates possess.

A stack of date pinwheel cookies and a glass of milk with winter decorations.

Date pinwheel cookies are delicious and easy

The body of the cookie is buttery, flaky, and tender – a scrumptious contrast to the thick, rich, sweetness of the date/nut layer of the pinwheel.

Dates are so sweet, they can quickly become overwhelming.

But in these cookies, the ratio is just right.

These Date Pinwheel Cookies are not only delicious – they are special.

Bake up a batch for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas parties, or even to give as gifts.

These pretty little pinwheels look like you took extra time to make something amazing, and they taste that way, too.

And if you know someone who is a fan of pecan pie, be sure to share some of these cookies with them.

Make our date nut pinwheel cookies ahead of time

One thing I love about these cookies – besides the flavor – is that you make them in advance.

That can be pretty handy when you are making cookies for a party or snacks.

It means that you get all the hard work done the day before your event – and then your cookie dough chills overnight in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to make them, you just slice them and bake – easy as can be.

It may be the easiest thing about your entire day!

What is the difference between a date pinwheel cookie and a sugar cookie?

If you’ve never had a pinwheel cookie before, you may want to know what the difference is.

When most people think of sugar cookies, they think of a soft, buttery cookie with a slightly crisp edge and a sweet, vanilla flavor.

Date pinwheel cookies are also made with sugar and butter, like a sugar cookie base, but they have a date filling that gives them a unique flavor and texture.

Ingredients to Make Date Pinwheel Cookies

Ingredients to make date pinwheel cookies.

  • 4 cups sifted flour
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • ½ cup shortening
  • ½ cup butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 10 oz pitted dates
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water

Additional Items:

  • Stand or hand mixer
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment or plastic wrap

How to make Date Pinwheel Cookies

Cream together shortening and butter in mixing bowl.

Add brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Beat well.

In process shot of adding an egg to dry ingredients to make date pinwheel cookies.

Mix in dry ingredients.

Divide dough into two portions and set aside.

Chop dates and add to a medium cooking pot, along with the sugar and water.

Bring to a boil and simmer until thick.

In process shot of dates, sugar, and pecans in a pot.

Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Chop pecans and add to date mixture.

Roll one portion of dough into a rectangle 1/8” inch thick.

Spread half of the date mixture on the cookie dough.

In process shot of dates and pecans spread across cookie dough before being rolled into a log.

Roll from the short side into a log.

Roll into parchment paper or plastic wrap.

Repeat with the other half of the dough and remaining date mixture.

In process shot of date pecan pinwheel cookie dough rolled into a log.

Place both logs in the refrigerator overnight.

Slice the cookie dough logs into 1/2” slices. Place on cookie sheet.

In process shot of date pinwheel cookie dough cut into slices.

Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes.

In process shot of date pinwheel cookie slices on a baking sheet.

Cool on wire racks and enjoy!

Variations on our date pinwheel cookies recipe

Date pinwheel cookies are a classic Christmas cookie.

But why not make them all year round?

There are endless variations on this recipe, so you can never get bored.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

-Instead of using dates, try dried apricots, figs, or raisins.

-Swap out the pecans for hazelnuts, pistachios, or almonds.

-Add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice for a different flavor profile.

-Try rolling the dough in different spices like cocoa powder, gingerbread spices, or even matcha powder.

-If you want a little more sweetness in your cookies, add 1/4 cup of sugar to the dough.

Cookie storage and serving tips

Whether you are baking cookies from scratch or using a store-bought mix, there are a few tips that will help you get the perfect results every time.

When storing cookies, it is important to keep them in an airtight container.

So whether you are refrigerating dough to make later or storing freshly baked cookies, an airtight container is your friend.

This will prevent them from drying out or becoming stale.

If you plan on serving them later, you can place them in the fridge or freezer until you are ready to eat them.

I like to line the container with waxed paper.

And if you’re stacking your cookies in your container, wax paper makes a great layer to keep the cookies from sticking together.

Alternatively, if your cookies are the same size as a cupcake, you can also stack them in paper cupcake wrappers.

Date pinwheel cookies are the perfect addition to any party or celebration!

When it comes to party cookies, date pinwheel cookies are a must-have.

They’re simple to make and always a hit with guests.

Plus, they’re the perfect way to use up any extra dates you might have on hand.

They are a fun and festive treat for any occasion.

They’re easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients, making them perfect for a quick and easy dessert.

More Christmas cookies to bake!

 If you’re looking for recipes to use in a holiday cookie exchange, we’ve got so many in our roundup.

More holiday baked goods to enjoy

Slow Cooker Gingerbread Cake

Chocolate Brownies with White Chocolate Peppermint Ganache

Cookies and Cream Fudge

Pecan Pie Fudge

Red Velvet Poke Cake

Chocolate Mint Oreo Brownies

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites

try it and share!

Please let us know how you enjoy our Date Pinwheel Cookies recipe.

Stacks of date pinwheel cookies with a glass of milk.

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Date Pinwheel Cookies

Jennifer Quisenberry
These Date Pinwheel Cookies take full advantage of the depth of flavor dates possess. The body of the cookie is buttery, flaky, and tender – a scrumptious contrast to the thick, rich, sweetness of the date/nut layer of the pinwheel.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Refrigerate 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 31 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 60
Calories 101 kcal

Equipment

  • Stand or hand mixer
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment or plastic wrap
  • Medium Pot
  • Wire Rack

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups sifted flour
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • ½ cup shortening
  • ½ cup butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 10 ounce pitted dates
  • 1 cup pecans chopped
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water

Instructions
 

  • Cream together shortening and butter in mixing bowl.
    ½ cup shortening, ½ cup butter
  • Add brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Beat well.
    2 cups brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 eggs
  • Mix in dry ingredients.
    4 cups sifted flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt
  • Divide dough into two portions and set aside.
  • Chop dates and add to a medium cooking pot, along with the sugar and water. Bring to a boil and simmer until thick. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
    10 ounce pitted dates, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water
  • Chop pecans and add to date mixture.
    1 cup pecans chopped
  • Roll one portion of dough into a rectangle 1/8” inch thick.
  • Spread half of the date mixture on the cookie dough.
  • Roll from the short side into a log. Roll into parchment paper or plastic wrap. Repeat with the other half of the dough and remaining date mixture.
  • Place both logs in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Slice the cookie dough logs into 1/2” slices. Place on cookie sheet.
  • Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes.
  • Cool on wire racks.

Notes

Please note that nutrition facts are subject to change based on your choice of ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal
Keyword Date and Pecan Pinwheel Cookies, Date Nut Pinwheel Cookies, Date Pinwheel Cookies, Old Fashioned Date Cookies
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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1 thought on “Date Pinwheel Cookies”

  1. 5 stars
    My daughter made some of these for Thanksgiving and I’ve asked her to make them again for Christmas! They were really tasty!

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