Date Pinwheel Cookies

I love dates and I love this good old fashioned cookie. I like to bake one log and freeze the other to
bake later. 

Date Pinwheel Cookies

2 cups all purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ cup unsalted butter

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Add vanilla and egg. Mix in the dry ingredients. Divide dough in half, wrap in waxed paper and chill until firm.

Filling:

1 (10 oz.) package of whole pitted dates- chopped

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/3 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup water

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine dates, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, salt and water. Cook and stir frequently until dates have softened. Remove from heat and add nuts to mixture. Let cool.

Roll dough out into 2 rectangles; 1/4 inch thick. Divide the filling in half and spread on each rectangle. Starting on one long side, roll dough, jelly roll style. Wrap in waxed paper and chill for several hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350. Grease cookie sheets. Slice dough about 1/4- 1/2 inch thick and place on prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.