Cinnamon Date Slices - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. plain flour
1 c. walnut pieces, ground
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. baking powder
5 oz. unsalted butter (at room temperature)
2/3 c. plus 3 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. grated lemon zest or lemon flavoring
1 egg
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
12 oz. pitted dates (about 1 1/2 c. packed)
confectioners sugar (for dusting)

Preparation

Combine flour, walnuts, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking powder.
Beat butter, 2/3 cup sugar and zest until creamy.
Beat in egg and vanilla.
Beat in flour mixture. Divide in half. Wrap and chill.
Simmer dates, 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 cup water until dates soften, about 10 minutes. Cool.
Heat oven to 325\u00b0. Roll each piece of dough between sheets of floured, waxed paper to a 12 x 6-inch rectangle.
Spread dates lengthwise down the center. Lift dough over filling.
Seal seam.
Put on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake until golden, 35 to 40 minutes.
Cool.
Dust with confectioners sugar. Slice.
Makes about 24 cookies.