At the beginning of the month, this gorgeous lady turned eighty-nine years young....
This is Carl's grandmother, Elizabeth, and she is quite possibly one of the sweetest ladies known to mankind. I was first introduced to her cooking a little over 7 years ago when Carl and I first started dating. The very first recipe of hers I tried were these delicious date filled cookies.
I know what you're thinking - DATES?! BLEH. I said the same thing at first... that was until I bit into one of these delicious morsels and life has never been the same since. In the past few years, Carl's grandmother has handed over her recipes to the family and cut back on her cooking. A few years ago, she re-located to an assisted living facility and sadly, had to give up her kitchen. Before our last visit to New Hampshire, I asked her if she wanted to assist me in making these cookies and she was all for it. She was quick to let me know that assisting really meant "watching" or in other words - bossing me around... but I really wouldn't have it any other way. She was dressed to the nines when I picked her up and even called a few hours before wondering when I was going to come pick her up. We had a wonderful day and being able to "cook" with her really warmed my heart. This was definitely a great memory I'll have with her for many years to come.
Grandmother's Old Fashioned Date Filled Cookies
Makes just over 2 dozen 4-inch round cookies
COOKIES:
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup shortening
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Combine dry ingredients in bowl. Cut in shortening. Add wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
Roll dough out on a floured surface.
Cut circles and place on cookie sheet. Add filling [recipe below] to center of cookie.
Place additional cookie circle (see note) on top of cookie + filling and gently press around edges.
NOTE: Cut a small slit in the middle of the cookie circle BEFORE placing it on the other cookie with jam.
Cook in a 350 degree F oven for 10-12 minutes.
FILLING:
1/2 lb dates, cut up
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Mix all ingredients in a small sauce pot. Cook mixture on medium heat until it starts to thicken. The filling should be close to jam consistency (not watery) when done.
COOKIES:
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup shortening
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Combine dry ingredients in bowl. Cut in shortening. Add wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
Roll dough out on a floured surface.
Cut circles and place on cookie sheet. Add filling [recipe below] to center of cookie.
Place additional cookie circle (see note) on top of cookie + filling and gently press around edges.
NOTE: Cut a small slit in the middle of the cookie circle BEFORE placing it on the other cookie with jam.
Cook in a 350 degree F oven for 10-12 minutes.
FILLING:
1/2 lb dates, cut up
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Mix all ingredients in a small sauce pot. Cook mixture on medium heat until it starts to thicken. The filling should be close to jam consistency (not watery) when done.
Click here for a printable version of this recipe.
Doesn't Grandma's touch just make everything taste better?
Do you have a prized recipe that your Grandma used to make/makes?
If so, please leave a comment below - I would love to hear them!
