Making Date Swirls While in Labor: Family Recipe Friday

 The cooked filling for date swirls.

Cooling and waiting to be eaten.

One of my favorite home baked cookies is Date Swirls.  I remember my mother making these.  My favorite memory of my making them is the day my daughter, Kirsten, was born.  I had put the cookies in the refrigerator the night before.  I went into labor about 4:30 a.m the next morning and I had to bake my cookies before I went to the hospital!  So, I baked them.  My husband couldn't believe it as my contractions were five minutes apart.  No worries, I didn't deliver Kirsten until about 10 hours later.  They are great eaten while they are still warm.  MMMMMM!  Enjoy!

Date Swirls

Filling:

1/2 lb. of dates

1t. lemon juice

1/3 c. water

1/4 c. sugar

Cook together five minutes.  Remove from heat and add 1/2c. chopped nuts.  Let cool.

Dough

1/2 c. oleo (margarine)

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. white sugar

1egg

2 cups flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

Combine ingredients.  Beat well.  Roll dough about 1/4"thick.  Spread dough with cooled date nut mixture.  Roll up like a jelly roll.  Wrap in wax paper.  Leave in refrigerator overnight.  Slice and bake at 350 degrees, until lightly browned on bottom about 12 minutes.