{"id":5386,"date":"2011-11-25T11:55:29","date_gmt":"2011-11-25T16:55:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/?p=5386"},"modified":"2019-11-25T21:02:10","modified_gmt":"2019-11-26T02:02:10","slug":"aunt-pearls-date-cookies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/2011\/11\/25\/aunt-pearls-date-cookies\/","title":{"rendered":"Aunt Pearl&#8217;s Date Cookies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Maine1.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5390\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/2011\/11\/25\/aunt-pearls-date-cookies\/maine-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Maine1.jpg?fit=640%2C626&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,626\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Maine\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Maine1.jpg?fit=640%2C626&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5390\" title=\"Maine\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Maine1.jpg?resize=640%2C626&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"626\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Maine1.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Maine1.jpg?resize=300%2C293&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Thanksgiving is over, and Christmas will be here before you know it! This is the time of year when I begin to stockpile various cookie doughs in my freezer to bake in the coming weeks. I&#8217;ll be posting a few of my favorites here, starting off with my <em><strong>Great Aunt Pearl&#8217;s Date Cookies<\/strong><\/em>.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The dough:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>2 1\/2 cups flour<\/li>\n<li>1 teaspoon kosher salt<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 teaspoon baking soda<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 cup granulated sugar<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 cup light brown sugar, packed<\/li>\n<li>2 large eggs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The filling:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>10 ounces package of pitted dates<\/li>\n<li>1 cup granulated sugar<\/li>\n<li>1 cup boiling water<\/li>\n<li>1 teaspoon vanilla extract<\/li>\n<li>1 tablespoon butter<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 cup chopped walnuts<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 cup mini chocolate chips<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Chop the dates, combine the filling ingredients in a sauce pan, and cook over medium heat until it thickens &#8211; about 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat. When mixture has cooled to room temperature, stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.<\/li>\n<li>Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. Combine butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a bowl and with an electric mixer, beat until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, and gradually mix in flour. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour.<\/li>\n<li>Divide dough in half.<\/li>\n<li>On a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, roll out dough to make a 10&#8243; x 12&#8243; rectangle, trimming the edges with a knife. Spread half the filling on the dough, and from the 12&#8243; side, roll into a log. Repeat with the other half of the dough. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for one hour (or freeze for later use).<\/li>\n<li>Preheat oven to 350\u00c2\u00ba. Cut 1\/4&#8243; slices from the logs, and place on a parchment line baking sheet one inch apart. Bake for 15 minutes, let the cookies cool on a wire rack. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days. Makes about 5 dozen.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/datecookies.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5391\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/2011\/11\/25\/aunt-pearls-date-cookies\/datecookies\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/datecookies.jpg?fit=640%2C329&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,329\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon PowerShot A430&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1292943211&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;5.4&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0166666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"datecookies\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/datecookies.jpg?fit=640%2C329&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5391\" title=\"datecookies\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/datecookies.jpg?resize=640%2C329&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/datecookies.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/datecookies.jpg?resize=300%2C154&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thanksgiving is over, and Christmas will be here before you know it! This is the time of year when I begin to stockpile various cookie doughs in my freezer to bake in the coming weeks. I&#8217;ll be posting a few &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/2011\/11\/25\/aunt-pearls-date-cookies\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[68,176],"tags":[97,86,1071,1077,1072,125,3667,824,1079,240,548,1074,685,1078,1076,6,336,1073,1075],"class_list":["post-5386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-food","category-holiday","tag-baking","tag-christmas","tag-cookies","tag-cooking","tag-dates","tag-family","tag-food","tag-gift","tag-great-aunt-pearls-date-cookies","tag-holiday-2","tag-love","tag-maine","tag-new-england","tag-oven","tag-recipe","tag-tina-garceau","tag-vintage","tag-walnuts","tag-warmth"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1ed1x-1oS","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":18030,"url":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/2015\/01\/20\/aunt-pearls-date-squares\/","url_meta":{"origin":5386,"position":0},"title":"Aunt Pearl&#8217;s Date Squares","author":"Tina Garceau","date":"January 20, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Another of the recipes from my grandmother's notebook - this one is credited to my Aunt Pearl, Nana's sister. Aunt Pearl lived in Aroostook County, Maine - that's about as far North as you can get! I have many happy memories of visiting her and waking up to donuts frying,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blast from the Past&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blast from the Past","link":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/category\/blast-from-the-past\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DateSquares.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DateSquares.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DateSquares.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24696,"url":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/2018\/11\/26\/peanut-butter-molasses-cookies\/","url_meta":{"origin":5386,"position":1},"title":"Peanut Butter Molasses Cookies","author":"Tina Garceau","date":"November 26, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas will be here before you know it! This is about the time when I start making cookie dough to stash in my freezer to bake later. First up - Peanut Butter Molasses cookies, this recipe makes about 3 dozen cookies - perfect for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Lovin' from the Oven&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Lovin' from the Oven","link":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/category\/lovin-from-the-oven\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/MolassesPBCookies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/MolassesPBCookies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/MolassesPBCookies.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15036,"url":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/2013\/12\/11\/cranberry-orange-oatmeal-cookies\/","url_meta":{"origin":5386,"position":2},"title":"Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies","author":"Tina Garceau","date":"December 11, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"The recipe for these cookies came from my friend Penny - and it's a keeper! It has all the ingredients of a great cookie - oatmeal, dried cranberries,\u00a0orange zest, orange and vanilla extracts. I can't begin to tell you how great they smell fresh out of the oven or warm\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Holiday&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Holiday","link":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/category\/holiday\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Orange-CranCookies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Orange-CranCookies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Orange-CranCookies.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":39694,"url":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/2022\/12\/16\/chocolate-crackles\/","url_meta":{"origin":5386,"position":3},"title":"Chocolate Crackles","author":"Tina Garceau","date":"December 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"A chocolate cookie for the holiday cookie tray. This cookie has melted chocolate, cocoa powder and is rolled in granulated and confectioners' sugar before going into the oven! These rich cookies are a chocolate lover's dream! 1 1\/3 cups of mini chocolate chips 1 1\/4 cups flour 1\/2 cup unsweetened\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Holiday&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Holiday","link":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/category\/holiday\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ChocolateCookies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ChocolateCookies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ChocolateCookies.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47009,"url":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/2026\/02\/02\/old-fashioned-sugar-cookies\/","url_meta":{"origin":5386,"position":4},"title":"Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies","author":"Tina Garceau","date":"February 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Normally I associate sugar cookies with Christmas - but these cookies are fantastic year 'round! They're crispy, melt in your mouth marvels. Finish them off with some red colored sugar, and they'd be perfect for Valentine's Day! 1\/2 cup butter, softened 1\/2 cup granulated sugar (plus more to roll the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Lovin' from the Oven&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Lovin' from the Oven","link":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/category\/lovin-from-the-oven\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SugarCookies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SugarCookies.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SugarCookies.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44112,"url":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/2024\/11\/18\/orange-ricotta-cookies\/","url_meta":{"origin":5386,"position":5},"title":"Orange Ricotta Cookies","author":"Tina Garceau","date":"November 18, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"It's almost that time of year, and now is the time to bake test batches of cookies for my holiday cookie boxes. These orange ricotta cookies are soft, with lots of orange zest in the batter and they're glazed with confectioners sugar and fresh squeezed orange juice. They definitely made\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Lovin' from the Oven&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Lovin' from the Oven","link":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/category\/lovin-from-the-oven\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/OrangeRicotta.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/OrangeRicotta.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/OrangeRicotta.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5386"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5386\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/willceau.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}