Date Cookies, soft and chewy cookies made with oatmeal, chopped dates, pecans, and a touch of cinnamon.
Once you try one of these date cookies, you will be hooked!
Date Cookies
What I love about these oatmeal date cookies is that they are not overly sweet. Thank you so much to The California Date Commission for sponsoring this post, all opinions are 100% my own.
Think of oatmeal raisin cookies, then triple the deliciousness and that is what you get with today’s date cookies recipe!
The slight crunch from the pecans, that hint of cinnamon, and the chewiness from California dates baked right in – simply magical.
Dates, in general, are very unique to me. With no other dried fruit can you get that caramelized flavor a California date has to offer.
Not only are California dates naturally sweet, but they have a lower Glycemic index than sugar – score!
This means they are perfect for healthy eating plans such as Paleo, Mediterranean Diet, Whole 30 Plan, DASH Diet, and a Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet.
Are Date Cookies good for you?
Adding dates to baked goods, such as cookies, is a healthier alternative to other ingredients such as chocolate chips, candy pieces, or something similar.
You can also use California dates as a healthy sugar substitute, cup for cup.
How to make oatmeal date cookies
Preheat your oven to 300°F, there is no cookie dough chill time for this recipe, yay!
Mix together your dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, salt, quick oats, and cinnamon, set aside.
In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer (I used the stand mixer, so easy), add light brown sugar and granulated sugar, mix to combine.
Add your softened butter to the bowl and cream together.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed and add your honey, vanilla, and eggs. Mix to combine fully until light and fluffy.
Add the dry mixture to the wet a little at a time until just incorporated. Stir in the chopped California dates and pecans, you can also fold these in because we do not want to over mix the dough.
On ungreased cookie sheets, place rounded tablespoons of the dough about 2 inches apart.
The super-secret technical trick to getting pretty cookies: on top of each cookie dough ball, add a couple of extra chopped pieces of dates and pecans! Just gently press them right into the tops.
Bake for 18-22 minutes until lightly golden brown. Transfer cookies immediately to a wired rack to cool completely.
Aren’t they just utterly drool-worthy?!
What I think I love most about these date cookies is they are not overly sweet. Dare I say the perfect breakfast cookie?
Just throwing it out there.
Don’t come for me.
Can you freeze date cookies?
Yes! According to Betty Crocker, the best way to freeze cookies is to make sure the cookies are completely cooled down.
Transfer them to a sturdy square or rectangle container (round or shaped containers are not recommended), in a flat layer. If you must stack the cookies, add parchment or wax paper between the layers and on the bottom.
Close the container with a secure top, label the container, and place it in the freezer.
Cookies are good for up to 2 months in the freezer.
To thaw the cookies, just place the container at room temperature and allow then to thaw completely.
Can you freeze cookie dough?
Yes! I do this A LOT.
We are a small family, so to eat 3+ dozen cookies at once (which can easily be done, haha), is probably not the best for us – all in moderation!
So, I will make and bake half of the cookie dough and then freeze the other half.
To do this, I will lay out a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Then, I will repeat the exact same process as if I were to bake the cookies.
In this case of these amazing oatmeal date cookies, I make rounded tablespoons of dough and gently press in a couple more chopped dates and pecans.
Instead of baking, I will place the whole thing in the freezer until the cookie dough balls are frozen solid, about 3 hours.
I then transfer the frozen cookie dough to a freezer-safe zipper baggie, label with the date, and place it in the freezer. They are good for up to 2 months.
Now, when you are ready to bake the cookies anytime!
Place the frozen cookie dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
You can either let them thaw slightly on the counter for about 15 minutes before baking or place directly in the oven. Keep an eye on them because they may need a few extra minutes of baking time.
Thanks so much again to The California Date Commission for sponsoring today’s post!
Dates are great in everything from snacking to breakfast and dinner and everything in between!
For more information visit DatesAreGreat.com
How to make date cookies
Oatmeal Date Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 & 1/2 cups very small dice California Dates
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F. In a medium-sized bowl, add the flour, baking soda, salt, oats, and cinnamon. Stir to combine fully, set aside.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer add the brown sugar and the granulated sugar, stir to combine. Add the butter and whip on medium speed for about a minute, scrape down the sides to make sure it is fully incorporated.
- Add the honey and vanilla, stir to combine, add the eggs one at a time and fully mix in. Crank up the speed to medium and whip the mixture until light and fluffy, about two minutes.
- With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients a spoonful at a time until mixed in. Scrape down the sides. Stir in the chopped dates and pecans until just mixed, you do not want to overmix the batter.
- On an ungreased cookie sheet, place rounded tablespoons of the batter 2 inches apart. Pro tip: add a couple of extra chopped dates and pecan pieces on top of each cookie and gently press down for a prettier presentation. Bake for 18-22 minutes until very light golden brown. Immediately transfer cookies to a wired rack to cool completely.
Comments & Reviews
Scarlet says
This sound delicious and pretty healthy. That is just the sort of treat that I love. Thanks for this date cookies recipe!