Date Delight Oatmeal Cookies

Okay, I know this is a bad picture, but there aren't any cookies left for a retake, and they're too good to make again, if you know what I mean.  You'll just have to take my word for it.  A little background for you - I bought a box of chopped dates for a specific recipe I wanted to try around the holidays, and I never got around to trying that recipe - not only that, but I forgot which recipe it was that I wanted to try.  So there I was, stuck with a box of chopped dates that I had no use for.  Thankfully there was a recipe for these cookies printed right there on the back of the box.  The family absolutely loved them - hope you do too.

Items used to make this recipe:

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• chopped dates

• #50 scoop

• pure vanilla extract

• baking pan/silpat/cooling rack set

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Date Delight Oatmeal Cookies

makes 48 cookie (#50 scoop)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 16 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

• 3 cups quick-cooking oats

• 8-ounces chopped dates (about 1 cup)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugars.

4. Add eggs and vanilla.

5. Add flour mixture, just until combined.

6. Stir in oats and chopped dates.

7. Using a #50 scoop, portion 12 scoops of dough per sheet tray and bake for 11-14 minutes until golden brown around the edges.

8. Cool cookies on sheet tray for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Makes 4 dozen cookies.

recipe adapted from Amport Foods

Black Bottom Samoa Cookie Bars

So who loves shortbread and chocolate and coconut and caramel as much as we do?  Honestly, it's one of the yummiest flavor combinations every.  So my daughter made these Black Bottom Samoa Cookie Bars for her boyfriend.  Then she left me alone in the room with the entire batch which was a big mistake.  Just kidding, I was good, but I snapped a quick photo so I could share them with you.  Enjoy.

Black Bottom Samoa Cookie Bars

makes 24 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 20 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

• 3 cups shredded coconut, toasted (directions below)

• 12 ounces chewy caramels (plus extra for snacking)

• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

• 3 tablespoons whole milk

• 10 ounces melted semisweet or bittersweet chocolate

Directions

To make the shortbread crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  

2. Make the crust by combining the softened butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Use the paddle or BeaterBlade attachment; mix for 3 minutes.  

3. Add the eggs and vanilla; mix well.  

4. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt to the butter/sugar mixture on low speed; mix just until all the ingredients are completely incorporated.  

5. Using well floured hands, press dough into ungreased 9x13 metal cake pan.  

6. Bake for 15 minutes, then cool while you make the filling.

To make the filling:

1. Reduce oven temperature to 300F.  

2. Toast the coconut in a single layer on a sheet pan for about 10 minutes, tossing once or twice.  

3. Remove from sheet pan and allow to cool slightly.  

4. Next place a glass or metal bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and gently heat the caramels, milk, and salt until the caramels are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.  

5. Remove from heat and stir in toasted coconut; spread evenly over shortbread crust.  

6. Allow the cool completely before cutting into 24 bars (clean knife blade between cuts to contain crumb mess).

To decorate:

1. Gently melt the chocolate and brush the bottom of each bar, then place on parchment or silpat liner.  

2. Pipe or drizzle remaining chocolate over the top of the bars.

3.  Refrigerate for a few minutes until chocolate firms.