Date Tart Cookies

From sunset cookies" book (1985). The preparation time calculations do not include the minimum 2 hour resting period for the dough."

Cookie dough: in a large bowl of an electric mixer , beat butter and sugar until creamy.

Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In another bowl , stir together flour , wheat germ , salt , nutmeg , and baking soda.

Gradually add to butter mixture , blending thoroughly.

Cover dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until easy to handle for up to 3 days.

Meanwhile , prepare date filling.

Date filling: in a small pan , combine all the ingredients except the vanilla.

Cook over medium heat , stirring and mashing with a spooon , until mixture is thick and smooth.

Stir in vanilla.

Let cool.

Then cover and refrigerate.

Cookie assembly: preheat oven to 350f.

Take out 1 / 3 of the dough , leaving remaining dough in the refrigerator.

On a well-floured board , roll out dough to 1 / 16-inch thickness.

Cut out with a 3-inch cookie cutter.

Repeat with remaining dough , rolling and cutting one portion at a time.

Place half the cookies slightly apart on greased baking sheets.

Spoon a heapi.

butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, all-purpose flour, wheat germ, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, pitted dates, water, honey