In large bowl, mix 1½ cups powdered sugar, the butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the almond extract and egg until well blended.
Stir in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar.
Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.
Heat oven to 375°F.
Divide dough in half.
On lightly floured, cloth-covered surface, roll each half of dough to ¼ inch thick.
Cut into assorted shapes with cookie cutters, or cut around patterns traced from storybook illustrations.
If cookies are to be hung as decorations, use the end of a plastic straw to make a hole in each one ¼ inch from top edge.
Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown.
Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
In medium bowl, beat frosting ingredients until smooth and spreadable.
Tint with food color.
Frost and decorate cookies as desired with frosting and colored sugars.
Notes & Wine Advice
Make-Ahead Magic
These cookies can be made ahead and frozen until you need them. Let the frosting dry before storing. Place cookies in a freezer-storage container, with waxed paper between layers. Freeze up to 3 months. Remove cookies from container to thaw.
Kitchen Secrets
For melt-in-your-mouth treats, be sure to mix cookies just enough—but not too much. Too much mixing can result in tough cookies.
Golden Date Treasure Cookies are delicate cream cheese pastry cookies wrapped around a rich filling of sweet dates, crunchy walnuts, fragrant orange zest, and vanilla. Lightly dusted with sparkling sugar, these elegant cookies are perfect for the holidays, afternoon tea, or sharing as homemade edible gifts.
Beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Gradually add the flour and mix until a soft dough forms.
Shape the dough into a rectangle.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
Meanwhile, combine the chopped dates, water, and granulated sugar in a saucepan.
Bring to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
Remove from the heat.
Stir in the orange zest, vanilla, and chopped walnuts.
Allow the filling to cool.
Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Divide the dough into two equal portions.
Roll each portion into a 10-inch square.
Cut each square into 25 equal pieces.
Place about 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each square.
Fold two opposite corners over the filling and gently press to seal.
Whisk together the egg white and water.
Brush each cookie lightly with the egg wash.
Sprinkle with the coarse sparkling sugar.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes until lightly golden.
Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
Notes & Wine Advice
Recipe Notes
Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll and helps the cookies keep their beautiful shape while baking.Allow the date filling to cool completely before assembling the cookies to prevent the dough from becoming too soft.Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to five days, or freeze them for up to three months.These cookies make wonderful homemade gifts when packaged in decorative tins or cellophane bags with a festive ribbon.
Wine Advice
Serve these festive cookies with a chilled Moscato, whose floral sweetness beautifully complements the dates and orange.For an indulgent dessert pairing, enjoy them with a glass of Tawny Port, whose rich caramel and dried fruit notes match the walnut filling perfectly.
Golden Date Treasure Cookies are buttery pastry cookies wrapped around a rich filling of sweet dates, crunchy walnuts, fragrant orange zest, and vanilla. The cream cheese dough bakes into a delicate, flaky pastry that perfectly complements the naturally caramel-like sweetness of the dates. These elegant cookies are ideal for holiday baking, afternoon tea, or sharing as thoughtful homemade gifts with family and friends.
Why You’ll Love These Filled Cookies
These filled cookies combine a tender pastry with a soft fruit filling that melts in your mouth. Unlike traditional drop cookies, every bite offers layers of buttery pastry and naturally sweet dates. If you enjoy baking homemade treats, you’ll also love browsing our Cookies & Biscuits, Treat Recipes, Dessert Recipes, and High Tea Recipes.
Golden Date Treasure Cookies Ingredients
Golden Date Treasure Cookies use everyday pantry ingredients to create bakery-quality results. Cream cheese produces an exceptionally tender dough, while orange zest brightens the rich date filling and chopped walnuts provide a pleasant crunch. These festive pastries are wonderful additions to holiday cookie platters and make beautiful homemade gifts. Discover more festive inspiration in our Christmas Recipes, Gift-Giving Recipes, and Holiday Recipes.
Serving Ideas
Serve these filled cookies with freshly brewed coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for an elegant afternoon treat. They’re equally delicious after dinner or arranged on a festive dessert table. For even more homemade baking inspiration, explore our Snack Recipes and Cake Recipes.
Storage Tips
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to five days, where they’ll remain wonderfully tender. They also freeze beautifully for up to three months, making them perfect for preparing ahead during the busy holiday season. For additional food safety guidance, visit the FDA Food Safety website.
Whether you’re baking for Christmas, preparing homemade gifts, or simply treating your family to something special, Golden Date Treasure Cookies deliver buttery pastry, fruity sweetness, and timeless homemade charm in every bite.
2containers1 lb each creamy white or vanilla creamy ready-to-spread frosting
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
In medium bowl, stir together cookie mix, butter, flour and egg until soft dough forms.
On floured surface, roll dough until about ⅛ inch thick.
Cut with 3- to 3½-inch cookie cutters.
On cookie sheets, place cutouts 1 inch apart.
Bake 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, break off top of each candy cane to create hanging loop.
Remove cookies from oven; press 1 candy piece on top of each cookie.
Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until edges are set.
Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.
Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
Into shallow medium microwavable bowl, spoon 1 container of frosting.
Microwave uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted.
Dip each cookie in frosting, allowing excess to drip off.
Place on parchment paper.
Repeat with second container of frosting and remaining cookies.
Let stand until frosting is set, about 1 hour.
Notes & Wine Advice
Festive Touch
Get creative! Decorate your cookie ornaments with colored or coarse sugar, small candies or sprinkles. Tie a piece of ribbon through each candy cane loop for hanging.
Kitchen Secrets
To evenly break candy canes, cut with scissors while still in the wrapper, then unwrap and use.
Make cookie mix as directed on pouch for cutout cookies, using butter, egg and flour.
On lightly floured work surface, roll dough until ¼ inch thick.
Use various sizes tree-shaped cutters to cut trees from dough, rerolling as necessary.
On ungreased cookie sheet, place cookies 2 inches apart.
Press lollipop stick into center of each cookie.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are set and cookies are light golden brown.
Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Divide frosting among 3 or 4 bowls; color with assorted shades of green food color.
Frost cookies; decorate as desired.
Notes & Wine Advice
Festive Touch
Wrap individual pops in cellophane wrap or small cellophane bags. Tighten the cellophane around the sticks with rubber bands and cover the bands with pieces of ribbon.Cookie pop “roses”? Treat these pops like roses, and you’ll have a great way to give them as gifts! Either place them in tissue in a box (wrapping the sticks with ribbon), or arrange them in a vase.
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