Indulge in the sweet, spiced perfection of Date Tart Cookies, a delightful fusion of tender, buttery shortbread and a rich, cinnamon-spiced date filling. Perfect for holiday gatherings or afternoon tea, these handheld treats feature a soft, flaky shell encasing a smooth, naturally sweet filling made from pitted dates, brown sugar, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. With their elegant folded tart shape and golden-baked edges, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious. Quick to prepare and ideal for make-ahead baking, Date Tart Cookies are a timeless dessert that pairs well with coffee, tea, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar for a festive finish.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Set aside.
In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, cream together the unsalted butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until incorporated.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the date filling by combining the pitted dates, water, and brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the dates are soft and the liquid is mostly absorbed, about 8-10 minutes.
Mash the date mixture with a fork or use an immersion blender to create a thick, smooth paste. Stir in the ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg. Let the mixture cool completely.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut out disks.
Place a small spoonful of the cooled date filling in the center of each disk. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching lightly to form small tarts.
Place the prepared tarts on the baking sheet, leaving a small gap between each.
Bake the tart cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve the Date Tart Cookies as is or with a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch!
Calories |
3007 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 99.3 g | 127% | |
| Saturated Fat | 56.4 g | 282% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 248 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 626 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 532.5 g | 194% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.5 g | 112% | |
| Total Sugars | 316.6 g | ||
| Protein | 32.2 g | 64% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 328 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 14.7 mg | 82% | |
| Potassium | 2828 mg | 60% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.