Chewy Oatmeal Dates Cookies

In the month of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to have at least 3 dates either fresh or dried and sip some water in  between, when they break fast.  Adding dates to home-made bread, cakes, muffins or cookies adds richness and nutrition, and the natural moisture of dates adds to the quality of the final product.

As the name suggests, Chewy Oatmeal Dates Cookies are not crispy and crunchy, but chewy, which you'll enjoy tucking into while relaxing and watching your favourite drama, or perhaps Muslim viewers may also like to add this cookie to their wide range of Raya goodies.  Selamat Hari Raya.

Recipe for Chewy Oatmeal Dates Cookies

Ingredients :

• 4 oz Plain Flour
• 1/4 Teasp. Salt
• 1/4 Teasp. ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 Teasp. Baking Powder
• 1/2 Teasp. Baking Soda
• 125 gm Butter/Margarine
• 3 oz Soft Brown Sugar
• 2 oz Caster Sugar
• 1 Teasp. Vanilla
• 1.1/2  Tablespoons Milk/Sugarless Soyabean Milk
• 1 Egg
• 135 gm Quaker instant Oats
• 50 gm Dates  -  Chopped

Method :

1. In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.  Mix well and set aside.
2. Cream together the butter/margarine with the two sugars, till light, thick and creamy.
3. Add in egg and vanilla and mix well.
4. Add in the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
5. Stir in the oats and chopped dates. 
6. Place dough, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or, best,  preferably overnight.
7. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Scoop about 2 teasp of dough, roughly make into a ball and place on the lined baking sheet.  Repeat with the remaining dough, keeping the balls,  2 inches apart.
9. Bake in preheated oven @ 350 deg F./180 deg C, for 16 to 18 minutes, till golden brown, but still soft in the centre.
10. Transfer the cookies onto wire racks to cool.  Store in an airtight container.

Note :

1. The above dough was prepared and kept in the fridge overnight.
2. The above recipe yields 40 cookies
3. Any dried fruit can be substituted for the recipe.
4. Cookies must be completely cool before storing in an airtight container.

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