Coconut-Date Icebox Cookies

Name: Coconut-Date Icebox Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Yield: About 48 cookies
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon fine salt; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature; 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 ounces pitted dried dates, finely chopped (about 1 1/3 cups); 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Dates Christmas Dessert Cookies Holidays Easy

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About 48 cookies Easy

Total: 40 mins, plus 2 hrs chilling time

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Ingredients (11)

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces pitted dried dates, finely chopped (about 1 1/3 cups)
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut

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Nutritional Information

Calories76
Fat2.33g
Saturated fat1.49g
Trans fat0.08g
Carbs13.55g
Fiber0.69g
Sugar8.81g
Protein0.84g
Cholesterol8.96mg
Sodium24.78mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (48 servings) Powered by

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This easy recipe changes up the usual sugar cookie by adding cinnamon, sweet dates, and tropical coconut. If coconut-date is not your favorite combo, we have other variations like Mexican chocolate, Meyer lemon and black pepper, or simple, classic sugar cookies.

Game plan: The dates can be finely chopped in a food processor. Quarter them first, then place in a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Pulse until finely chopped, about 30 to 40 (1-second) pulses.

The dough logs can be frozen for up to a month: Just wrap the plastic-covered logs tightly in aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and baking.

This recipe was retested and updated by the CHOW Test Kitchen in December 2012.

by Aida Mollenkamp

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There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

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Instructions

1Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl to break up any lumps; set aside.
2Place the butter and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until lightened in color and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and paddle with a rubber spatula.
3Return the mixer to medium speed, add the egg and vanilla, and beat until just incorporated. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and paddle with the rubber spatula.
4Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the reserved flour mixture. Mix until just incorporated. Add the dates and coconut and mix until just incorporated.
5Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and divide it in half. Roll each portion into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.
6When ready to bake the cookies, heat the oven to 350°F and arrange the racks to divide the oven into thirds.
7Remove the dough logs from the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap, and slice the dough into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place on 2 baking sheets about 1/2 inch apart (about 20 cookies will fit on each sheet). Place any remaining dough back in the refrigerator.
8Place both sheets in the oven and bake for 6 minutes. Rotate the baking sheets front to back and top to bottom and bake until the edges of the cookies are firm but the tops are still soft, about 6 to 7 minutes more.
9Place the baking sheets on wire racks and let cool for 5 minutes. Using a flat spatula, transfer the cookies to the wire racks to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough (you can use the same baking sheets but cool them completely first).

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