Date Rocks

Categories: Cookies

Prepared: 2004-01-24

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 10 ounces pitted dates, diced moderately fine (about 2 cups diced)

Preparation:

• preheat oven to 375 degrees f
• grease several baking sheets and set aside
• thoroughly stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon , cloves, allspice, and salt; set aside
• place butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until fluffy and smooth
• beat in eggs and vanilla
• vigourously stir in dry ingredients
• fold in dates, mixing until distributed throughout
• drop dough by generous teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart on baking sheets
• place in upper third of the oven and bake for 11 to 13 mintues or until just tinged with brown; reverse the baking sheets from the front to back halfway through baking to ensure even browning
• remove from the oven and let stand on baking sheets for 1 minute
• transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely
• store in an airtight container for up to a week
• freeze for longer storage

makes 36 servings