Date Filled Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

For the Filling:

8 oz Dates ( cut into small pieces)

1 cup raisins

3/4 cup granulated sugar

Juice of 1 lemon + (zest of lemon optional)

1 - 2 cups water

2 tsp corn starch

For the Oatmeal Cookies:

2½ cups all purpose flour

2 cup Oatmeal ( not instant)

1 cup shortening

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

1 cup buttermilk

Additional flour to work the dough if necessary

Preparation

For the Filling:

In a small sauce pan place the dates, raisins,sugar, lemon juice and add enough water to cover the mixture.

Place on high heat and bring to a rapid boil and boil for about 15 minutes, continuously stirring to prevent the mixture from burning until the dates begin to break down and the liquid reduces and a thick sauce is made.

Remove from the heat and add the 2 tsp of corn starch mixed with 2 tsp of water into the filling and stir to combine and thicken.

Place the filling into a container with lid and refrigerate a few hours to overnight.

For the Oatmeal Cookies and Assembly:

In a bowl combine the flour,oatmeal, salt, cinnamon and the baking powder.

In a mixer cream the sugar and the shortening. Slowly add the dry ingredients, once combined add the buttermilk and mix until a dough forms.

Place the dough onto a well floured table and knead until a smooth not too sticky dough is formed ( you may have to add more flour).

Form the dough into a ball and place into a bowl and cover and let sit in the refrigerator 1 hour to overnight.

To Assemble:

Cut the dough into ¼'s, and roll the dough out to 1/4 to 1/8 inch thickness. Using a circular cookie cutter 2½ to 2¾ inches in diameter cut out circles, you will need two for every cookie.

Place half the circles on a greased sheet pan or a silpat covered pan. Spoon about 1 Tbs of the cooled filling into the center and cover with a second circle. Crimp the edges and cut a small vent hole in the top of the cookie.

Bake in the center of a 350º oven for approximately 20 minutes. Carefully place on a wire rack to cool. Store in an air tight container.

As an alternative you can bake the cookies in a single layer for about 12- 15 minutes until lightly browned, cool, then spread the filling over one and top with another like an Oreo.