Dessert – Mama’s Date Roll Cookies

Contributed by:

Linda LaRoque

(lindalaroque.com)

Contemporary Western & Time Travel Romance

Story behind the recipe – My brother and I looked forward to these cookies every Christmas. As adults they became a symbol of our childhood, one we clung to. My mother is no longer with us and the tradition of baking these cookies has fallen to me. Since some of the nieces/nephews don’t like pecans, we make one batch without. Some of us like our cookies crispy and chewy, others soft, so we try to please everyone in the family. These cookies have dates in them so they have to be nutritious, right? They’re delicious with coffee or milk.

What you’ll need

- 1 lb. pitted dates

- 1/2 C sugar

- 1/2 C water

- 3 eggs beaten

- 4 C flour

- 1 t soda

- 1 t salt

- 1 C sugar

- 1 C brown sugar

- 1 C oleo

- 1 T vanilla

- 1 T cold water

Steps to the process

1.      Cook 1st 3 ingredients over low heat until mushy. Add pinch of salt.

2.      Cream oleo, sugars, and beaten eggs.

3.      Sift flour, salt, soda 3 times and mix into oleo mixture. Mix in vanilla & cold water.

4.      Knead dough and divide into 2 parts. Roll out on floured surface.

5.      Spread with date paste, roll up, pinch ends, wrap in wax paper & refrigerate

6.      Slice thin, place on cookie sheet & bake in 375 degree oven until brown.

Comments – Add chopped pecans if desired.

Blurb from FOREVER FAITH – Lucas and Gail Johnson live the idyllic life on their ranch near the small town of Stony Creek, Texas. The only thing they want but don’t have is a child created from their love. Will an unidentified body pulled from nearby Possum Creek and a single night of indiscretion shatter their dreams of happily ever after?