Date Nut Cookies | Thumbprint Filled
Date nut cookies are all-time favorite treats! They’re sweet, chewy, and full of flavor and can be made in no time at home. Date thumbprint cookies are a variation of the classic treat that is sure to land on your cookie tray every holiday season.
If you’ve been reading this blog, you’ve probably guessed by now that I’m partial to dates and these date cookies are simply the best. They’re soft and chewy circles of taste bud happiness and their wonderful flavor makes them a well loved taste treat.
I have never met a cookie that I didn’t like but these cookies are exceptional because they are so satisfying and delicious. They are a great addition to any cookie platter. But, you don’t need a holiday or event to make and eat these?
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Do these cookies freeze well?
Yes. You just need to put them either in a storage container or in a gallon freezer bag but in only two layers and with parchment paper between the layers.
I freeze them because I make them and (other cookies) well before the holidays and take them out a few days before I’m going to place them on the cookie tray.
How to make thumbprint date nut cookies
Pre-step
Take out the butter at least an hour before starting the recipe.
Get a stand mixer and preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, get out a few cookie sheets.
Step one
Cut up dates and get a medium saucepan. Also measure out sugar and water. (A)
Step two
Add the dates, water, and sugar to the saucepan and meat on medium high. When the mixture comes to a boil, stir it every once in a while until it thickens.
This takes between 5 and 10 minutes.
Step three
Turn the heat off under the thickened date mixture, add some walnuts, stir and set aside. (B)
Step four
Gather the butter, brown sugar and cane sugar. (C)
Step five
Add the sugars and softened butter to your stand mixer and cream together.
Step six
Gather the wet ingredients – Amaretto liqueur, eggs, and sour cream. (D)
Step seven
Add the wet ingredients to the mixer and mix until just incorporated. The batter will be a little loose and will look like this: (E)
Step eight
Gather the dry ingredients – sprouted spelt flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
(You can use any type of flour, like all-purpose flour, or whole wheat, but I prefer spelt).
Step nine
Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir with a spatula.
Step ten
Take a small amount of dough in your hands and roll it into a one inch ball.
Step eleven
Take your thumb and stick it in each ball. You can wet your thumb with a little warm water if your fingers are sticking to the dough. (F)
Step twelve
Take a teaspoon of the date mixture and place it into the thumbprint.
Step thirteen
Bake for 11 – 13 minutes until they are lightly browned.
Once out of the oven, let them cool for five minutes before taking them off the baking sheets and placing them onto wire racks to cool further.
Let’s plate the cookies.
As I said before, these are soft cookies, so don’t expect a crunch to them. And they are deeply satisfying to eat, especially if you love dates.
Now all I have to do is plate them, pour myself some milk and DIG IN!
I hope you enjoyed this date nut cookies recipe. I bring these cookies to lots of functions and they get eaten quickly. Everyone loves them!
Other delicious cookie recipes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Date Nut Cookies | Thumbprint Filled
Ingredients
Date Mixture:
- 2 cups dates pitted, chopped
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
Cookie Mixture:
- 2 sticks butter room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar loosely packed
- 3/4 cup cane sugar
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 ounce amaretto
- 2 eggs
- 4 cups spelt flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Chop the dates and place them in a saucepan. Add sugar and water and heat on medium high until it comes to a boil. Stir until thickened (around 5 – 10 minutes)
- Once thickened, turn off heat, add walnuts, stir and set aside
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
- In mixer, place butter and sugars and mix until creamed
- Add sour cream, amaretto and eggs and mix until incorporated. (It will be loose)
- Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and mix until incorporated
- Take small amount of dough in your hand and roll into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheets
- Stick your thumb in each ball and then fill the thumbprint with the date mixture
- Bake for 11 – 13 minutes until lightly brown
- Let cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheets before removing to wire racks
- Eat
- Smile
- Enjoy
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
I just started making thumbprint cookies and experimenting with dates. so these look awesome to me! I must try soon 🙂
Megan,
Awesome. If you make them, come back and tell me how you liked them. 🙂
Elaine
I will make these tomorrow for my husband’s “Thursday is Cookie Day”. I was glad to learn that 4 servings equals 48 cookies and not 4 cookies!!!! It wasn’t clear on Serving Window. Thank you for the recipe and blog post, it was fun to read and the photographs and hints were great, gave me the inkling to make the Prune Spread as well, you have a great sense of humor.
Karen,
Thanks so much for the compliments. These are great cookies. Always a favorite in my family!!
Elaine
Dates – nature’s candy. These cookies look so yummy!!
Thank you Jenn!
I might have to make these for my cookie exchange this year.
They are really good Maria! Thanks for the comment!
These cookies look hard to resist!
They truly are Sandi!
What a lovely list of ingredients, Elaine! And these look so beautiful! Sharing and bookmarking for a later date 🙂 Thanks!
Thank you Traci! I appreciate the comment. 🙂
We grew up eating thumbprint cookies. These are definitely an updated version that I need to try.
Thanks Julie. They are so good!
You had me at dates ???? One of my favourite foods. Such a unique taste and texture and so full of goodness. I love a thumb print cookie too! ????
Thanks so much Gabby! I do love a good thumbprint cookie!
These cookies have such a beautiful presentation to them, plus I love, love, love dates, nice touch adding the amaretto
Thanks so much Albert!
This recipe is on my Christmas baking bucket list! Can’t wait to try it.
Yay Sabine! They really are scrumptious!
These are some palatable cookies which would go perfectly with a cup of tea, Elaine. Great for the upcoming holiday season. Can I use brown instead of white sugar when preparing them?
You sure can Agness! Thanks for the comment!
Super yummy cookies! Can’t wait to eat one tonight. Also wouldn’t mind them stuffed with prune spread!!
Me too. Hehe!