Golden State Dates

Even before dates became a favorite holiday food they were widely used as a sweetener in baked goods. Here sweet dates and salty nuts combine with gooey chocolate and chewy oatmeal for a happy holiday treat.

Yield: 5 dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) + 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups quick or old fashioned oats (uncooked)
• 3/4 cup dates, chopped
• 3/4 cup salted pistachios
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks or morsels

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Beat together butter, brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy.
3. Add egg and almond extract; mix to combine.
4. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to butter mixture, mixing well.
5. Stir in oats until combined.
6. Add dates, pistachios and chocolate; mix well.
7. Shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll balls in a shallow bowl containing 1 cup sugar.
8. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
10. Cool cookies on pan for one minute or until set; transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
11. Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin