Double Date Oatmeal Cookies

DYK? Oats are high in dietary fiber called beta glucan which helps to lower cholesterol and control appetite

Date Oatmeal Cookies

My Grandma was famous for her double date oatmeal cookies. She rolled her dough out and cut it with a crinkle-edged cutter, so we called them her “saw cookies”. I’ve modified the recipe a bit but whenever I bake a batch, my kitchen smells just like hers and the memories come flooding back.

When I had a restaurant that served fair trade coffee, I saved any extra left in the pot to add to the filling. Substitute decaf coffee or water if you like.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) salted butter
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) canola oil
• 1 cup (250 mL) brown sugar
• 1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp (5mL) vanilla
• 2 cups (500 mL) quick oats
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) oat bran (if you don’t have oat bran, use another 1/2 cup quick oats)
• 1 cup (250 mL) whole wheat flour
• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
• 1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda

For the Filling:

• 500 g package pitted dates
• 1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon
• 1 cup (250 mL) apples, berries, rhubarb or other seasonal ingredients
• 3 cups (750 mL) brewed coffee or water

Directions

1. Separate dates and put in a medium pot with all other filling ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer while making cookies, stirring frequently.
2. In a medium bowl or stand mixer, combine butter, oil and both types of sugar. Beat until creamy then add egg and vanilla and mix until well combined.
3. In another bowl, combine quick oats, oat bran, whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet. Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form balls about 2 Tbsp each. Flatten between palms and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375 °F (190 °C) for approximately 10-12 min until cookies have spread out and are golden brow.
5. Let cool on wire rack, then top a cookie with 3 Tbsp (45 mL) date filling. Top with second cookie and wrap in plastic or store in a single layer in an airtight container. They freeze well!

Nutritional Analysis

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Servings: 12 filled cookies
Calories: 572
Total Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Cholesterol: 35 mg
Sodium: 207 mg
Carbohydrates: 99 g
Fibre: 7 g
Protein: 7 g