94 minutes
Delicious cookies with a buttery base, natural sweetness from dates, and a hint of citrus from orange zest.
cups
Light brown sugar
tablespoons
cups
teaspoons
teaspoons
Unsalted Butter, cold or room temperature
0 oz
Old-fashioned Rolled Oats
cups
Chopped Pitted Dates
cups
Orange Zest, finely grated
teaspoons
1. Combine Dry Ingredients
Begin by combining the dry ingredients in a food processor or stand mixer. Add the flour, light-brown sugar, granulated sugar, and kosher salt, mixing them to ensure an even distribution. This forms the base of your cookie dough, providing structure and a balanced sweetness.
2. Add Butter and Vanilla
Next, add the vanilla extract and butter to the mixture. If you're using a food processor, ensure that the butter is cold so the mixture becomes sandy in texture. For a hand mixer, use room temperature butter and mix until it becomes light and smooth. The butter is the heart of this shortbread, giving it a rich, indulgent flavor.
3. Incorporate Oats, Dates, and Orange Zest
Incorporate the oats, dates, and orange zest into the dough. These ingredients not only add texture and depth but also a natural sweetness that complements the buttery base. As you mix, the dough should become clumpy, a sign that the dates' moisture is binding everything together.
4. Shape and Chill the Dough
Divide the dough and shape it into logs using parchment paper. Press the dough tightly to form firm logs. Once shaped, chill the dough logs in the fridge for about an hour, or speed up the process by placing them in the freezer for 20 minutes. Chilling is essential for firming up the dough, making it easier to slice.
5. Preheat Oven and Slice Dough
While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the dough is firm, use a serrated knife to cut the logs into ½-inch slices. Arrange these slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they have space to expand slightly as they bake.
6. Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, watching for the edges to turn a light golden brown. This color change indicates that the cookies are perfectly baked, with a crisp edge and tender center.
7. Cool and Enjoy
Finally, allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to wire racks. This step ensures they set properly and develop their full flavor and texture. Enjoy your homemade oatmeal date shortbread cookies, a delightful balance of buttery, sweet, and zesty flavors.
Always start with the finest ingredients. Fresh, organic rolled oats provide a wonderful nuttiness and texture that elevated cookies require. Use Medjool dates if possible, as they are plump, sweet, and lend a more pronounced caramel flavor.
Use high-fat European-style butter for its rich taste and lower moisture content. Soften your butter to room temperature before using to ensure it creams beautifully with sugar.
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This incorporates air, contributing to the cookie's tender texture. Take at least 3-5 minutes to ensure thorough creaming.
Bake the cookies at a consistent temperature, and rotate the baking sheet halfway through if your oven has hotspots. They should be golden at the edges but soft in the center, as they will firm up when cooled.
After mixing, allow your dough to chill for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. This step not only firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and shape, but it also helps in developing the flavors and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
Comments (0)