Date & Walnut Cookies

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🍪 Date & Walnut Cookies

📖 Description

Date & Walnut Cookies are soft, naturally sweet treats made with wholesome dates and crunchy walnuts. These cookies strike the perfect balance between chewy and crisp, making them ideal for tea time, festive platters, or healthy snacking. They’re rich in flavor, comforting, and can be easily adapted to be refined-sugar-free.

⏱️ Prep & Cook Time

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes

  • Chill Time (optional): 15 minutes

  • Bake Time: 12–15 minutes

  • Total Time: ~45 minutes

🍽️ Servings

  • Makes: 18–20 cookies

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie

📝 Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour)

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • ¼ tsp salt

  • ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (softened) or coconut oil

  • ½ cup date paste (see note below)

  • 1 egg (room temperature)

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Add-ins

  • ½ cup chopped walnuts

  • ¼ cup finely chopped dates (optional for extra texture)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Prepare Date Paste

    • Soak 1 cup pitted dates in warm water for 10 minutes.

    • Blend into a smooth paste. Let cool before using.

  2. Preheat Oven

    • Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F.

    • Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

  3. Mix Dry Ingredients

    • In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

  4. Cream Wet Ingredients

    • In another bowl, beat butter and date paste until smooth.

    • Add egg and vanilla extract; mix well.

  5. Combine

    • Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.

    • Fold in walnuts and chopped dates.

  6. Shape Cookies

    • Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls.

    • Place on tray and gently flatten.

  7. Bake

    • Bake for 12–15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.

  8. Cool

    • Let cookies cool on tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

💡 Notes

  • Dough will be slightly soft due to date paste—this is normal.

  • Chilling the dough helps control spreading.

  • Cookies firm up as they cool.

🌟 Tips for Perfect Cookies

  • Toast walnuts lightly for deeper flavor.

  • For vegan cookies, replace egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 2½ tbsp water).

  • Do not overbake—dates can dry out if baked too long.

  • Use silicone baking mats for even baking.

🧮 Nutritional Information (Approx. per cookie)

  • Calories: 120–130 kcal

  • Carbohydrates: 16 g

  • Protein: 2 g

  • Fat: 6 g

  • Fiber: 2 g

  • Sugar: 8 g (naturally from dates)

(Values may vary based on ingredients used)

🧠 Health Benefits

  • Dates: Natural sweetener, high in fiber and antioxidants

  • Walnuts: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, good for heart health

  • Lower Refined Sugar: Ideal for cleaner eating

  • Energy Boosting: Great as a pre-workout or midday snack

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Q: How long do these cookies stay fresh?
A: Up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature, or 10 days refrigerated.

Q: Can I freeze the dough or cookies?
A: Yes! Freeze dough balls for up to 2 months. Baked cookies freeze well for 1 month.

Q: Can I reduce the butter?
A: You can replace half the butter with applesauce or yogurt, but texture will be softer.

Q: Are these cookies suitable for kids?
A: Absolutely—naturally sweet and nutritious.

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