Drop Cookies: Nutty Date Drops

Dates  are sweet and chewy and the perfect addition to a basic cookie. If you're going to make this cookie, chop your dates before you get started. Don't try to use whole dates or you'll end up with cookies that are barely edible. Also, buy dates that have already been pitted. Trying to pit them yourself is far more trouble than it's worth. Trust me on that.


Ingredients


1 cup dates, chopped
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup water
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup walnuts or other nut, chopped (optional)


Preparation


Heat dates, sugar, and water over medium heat in a small saucepan. Cook until bubbling, stirring occasionally, then cook for 2-3 minutes more, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool, but not completely.


Heat oven to 375°F. Use an electric mixer to cream brown sugar and butter together. Add vanilla and egg and blend until smooth. Put aside the electric mixer and use a wooden spoon to add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until well combined, then add the date mixture. Fold in gently, then fold in nuts, if desired.


Drop by rounded teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheets, smooth the tops of the cookies but not flattening them. Bake for 9 minutes, or until the edges are just slightly browned. Let stand on the cookie sheet for 1 minute, then cool completely on wire racks.


Store cookies in an airtight container. Or just them as they come out of the oven. That's what happens around here.