Date Rolls

When looking for a fun recipe to enhance our unit on the Middle East, I came across these.    Cooking with kids is such a great way to teach.  I have to hold back from just reading the recipe and telling the kids what to do.  I have the kids read the recipe and we work together to figure it out.  With these cookies, we discovered that making a pancake shape with the dough, and then adding the date mixture and pinching it closed, made for a fun filled cookie.  These were surprisingly easy and delicious.   Trust me, my mouth is watering right now just thinking about them.  Think butter shortbread with a mild date filling.  Be really careful not to overcook!

Date Rolls
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 stick less 1 tablespoon sweet butter, softened
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 tablespoon oil
2 tablespoons milk

FILLING :

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons water

1 1/2 cups dates, pitted and chopped

Make the filling first. Melt the butter together with the water in a saucepan, then add the chopped dates. Cook on a low heat, stirring the dates and pressing down until they become a soft paste. Remove and cool.

To make the dough, sift the flour into a mixing bowl. Cut the soft butter into small pieces and work it into the flour with your fingers. Add the sugar and mix in thoroughly. Make a well in the center, pour in the oil and milk, then continue to knead the dough until pieces flake off the sides of the bowl. Knead a further 10 minutes, then roll into a ball and chill.

Now preheat the oven to 350° F and grease a large baking tray. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide into three portions. Knead each well.

On a floured board roll out and flatten a ball of dough. Cut into a neat rectangle shape. Spread one-third of the date mixture thinly over the top. Roll the rectangle into a roll and continue to roll backwards and forwards until it grows longer and thinner. Slice this into flat, diagonal sections, about 1 1/2 inches thick. Repeat this process using the remaining balls of dough.  (Or make some filled cookies... yummmm)

Place all slices side by side on the greased baking sheet and prick the tops lightly with a fork. Bake for 25-30 minutes in the pre-heated oven until slightly colored (don't overcook). Allow to cool, then dust with powdered sugar.

Makes about 24 rolls.

From "Cooking the Middle Eastern Way" by Christine Osborne   http://www.ummah.net/family/recipes/date_rolls.html