↑

Good Dinner Mom

Sharing Love through Good Food

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • The Main Dish
      • Chicken & Poultry
      • Beef & Meat
      • Slow Cooked Meals
      • Meatless Main Dish
      • Fish & Seafood
      • Soups, Stews & Chili
      • One Pot Meals
      • Breakfasts & Brunch
      • Eggs
    • Fresh from the Bakery
      • Bakery
      • Bread & Biscuits
      • Cakes
      • Cheesecake
      • Chocolate
      • Cookies, Bars & Brownies
      • Fruit Desserts
      • Jams, Jellies & Preserves
      • Muffins & Pastries
      • Pastries & Pie
      • Tarts
    • On The Side
      • Salads & Salad Dressings
      • Side Dishes
    • Hors d’oeuvres & Party Fare
      • Appetizers
      • Condiments, Dips & Sauces
      • Snacks
    • Frozen Treats, Drinks & Smoothies
      • Beverages & Smoothies
      • Frozen Treats
    • Even More Healthy
      • Gluten Free
      • Quinoa
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
    • Holiday Recipes
    • 30 Minutes or Less
    • Cuisines
      • Asian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
  • Shop
  • About
    • About Good Dinner Mom
    • Where I Live
    • Backyard Chickens
    • Contact

Good dinner recipeswhen you subscribe for recipes

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.
  • The Main Dish
  • 30 Minutes or Less
  • Fresh from the Bakery
  • Vegetarian
  • Shop

Orange Date-Nut Cookies

9 Comments

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Orange Date-Nut Cookies are perfect for serving with coffee or tea. Layers of pecan shortbread, minced dates infused with orange zest and drizzled with glaze.
Orange date nut cookies in two rows on a white plate

When I first made Orange Date Nut Cookies, I had them triple-tested over multiple households and two generations. Everyone who obliged me gave eager compliments on-the-spot. Some offered thumbs-up while giving a “yummm!”, which is all that can be said with a mouthful of cookie; and even the tester who doesn’t like nuts loved them, especially the soft date-nut middle. So, this recipe is a keeper… which I especially knew when my 11-year old wanted me to quit passing out samples and save more for us.

These cute little rectangles are perfect for gift-giving, even by mail, because they become more tasty over time. We loved them best two and even three days after baking. And do you happen to know any friends who are “dunkers”?… these are the perfect cookie for them, because these were absolutely fabulous when dipped in hot, freshly brewed coffee. And I imagine they’d be equally good in a steamy cup of tea or even ice cold milk.

The recipe is a soft shortbread with chopped pecans added, with a middle layer of minced dates and orange zest, topped with a simple drizzle of orange zest and confectioners sugar. Easily made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator to slice and bake at a moment’s notice.

A collage of shortbread with chopped pecans being formed

The dough is divided into three sections, and one of those sections gets incorporated with the dates, orange zest and tiny bit of orange juice. It then gets layered in a loaf pan and placed in the fridge for two hours (or longer).

Dough divided into three sections

Once you’re ready to bake the cookies, just uncover the loaf, cut into three sections and then cut these logs into 1/4-inch cookies. Each log makes about 2 dozen cookies. Re-wrap unused sections and freeze or refrigerate to use again later.

 

Orange Date Nut Cookies in two rows on a white plate

A variety of flavors in every bite, these cookies are both crisp and chewy. Nutty and citrus-y. The pecan-shortbread layer is delightful enough on its own, but the layers make a pretty presentation as well as being delicious.

 

Orange Date Nut Cookies on a white plate, closeup sideview of one cookie

The orange glaze is a mixture of confectioners sugar, fresh orange juice and zest. You can brush glaze over the entire cookie, but all my testers preferred just a drizzle here and there. Or, if you prefer, serve them naked without the glaze at all.Orange Glazed Date-Nut Cookies on a white plate

True multipurpose tasty treats, Orange Date-Nut Cookies will be great with breakfast or brunch, a tea-and-sandwich luncheon or on-the-go and across the country.

Pin
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Orange Date-Nut Cookies

The dough for these cookies can be made and frozen for a month ahead of baking. These cookies ship well as they become even more flavorful over time.
Course Cookies
Prep Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings 5 dozen
Calories 1123
Author Good Dinner Mom

Ingredients 

For the Cookies:

  • 8- ounce package of chopped or whole dates, Deglet Noor are excellent and most common
  • Zest from one medium orange
  • 1 generous Tablespoon juice from fresh orange
  • 1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans, divided

For the glaze:

  • Zest from one medium orange
  • 3 Tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • ½ to 1 cup confectioners sugar, depending on how thick you want the glaze

Instructions

  • To make the cookies:
  • Line a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing enough to extend over the edges of pan so they can cover the dough for refrigerating. Set aside.
  • Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add 8 ounces dates, orange zest and 1 generous Tablespoon orange juice. Process 45 seconds, or until dates are finely chopped.
  • In a medium bowl, beat 1 cup butter at medium speed until fluffy. Gradually add 1 ½ cups sugar, beating until well blended.
  • Add 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla; beat well.
  • In a separate bowl, combine 2 ½ cups flour, 1 ½ cups baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt. Whisk together to combine.
  • Gradually add flour mixture into the butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended.
  • Divide the dough into 3 portions. Knead ½ cup of the pecans into 1 portion of dough; press this portion into prepared pan.
  • Knead the date mixture into 1 portion of dough; press in pan over pecan dough.
  • Knead remaining ½ cup pecans into remaining dough; press into pan over date dough.
  • Cover and chill at least 2 hours or freeze up to 1 month. (If freezing, defrost again in refrigerator for 2 days before making cookies.)
  • Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
  • Invert loaf pan onto a cutting board; remove and discard plastic wrap. Cut dough lengthwise into 3 lengthwise logs. Cut each log of dough crosswise into ¼-inch thick slices. Place the slices 1-inch apart on parchment lined baking sheets. (Each log yields about 20 cookies)
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes until still soft and NOT brown at edges (I like these a little more chewy, but if you want them as tea or coffee dunking cookies, bake an additional 2 minutes until the edges are browned).
  • Cool slightly on baking sheets; remove to wire rack to cool completely.

To make the glaze:

  • In a small bowl, mix orange zest and 3 Tablespoons juice. Whisk in ½ cup confectioners sugar and add more for thicker glaze.
  • Using a spoon, drizzle a stripe or droplets over each cookie. Let sit for about 10 minutes to let glaze harden slightly for packaging or serving.
  • These cookies ship well as they taste even better two or three days after baking.
Nutrition Facts
Orange Date-Nut Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1123 Calories from Fat 477
% Daily Value*
Fat 53g82%
Saturated Fat 25g156%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g
Monounsaturated Fat 18g
Cholesterol 130mg43%
Sodium 541mg24%
Potassium 668mg19%
Carbohydrates 160g53%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 106g118%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 1295IU26%
Vitamin C 13mg16%
Calcium 124mg12%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe adapted from a Christmas cookie book no longer in print that’s been in my kitchen forever!

You might also like

  • Chocolate Kiss Cookies
  • Truly the best molasses cookies, with a secret ingredient for that perfect bite.
    Molasses Cookies
  • Part chocolate truffle, part crispy cookie, Chocolate Salami is a Portuguese/Italian tradition that guests are sure to love.
    Chocolate Salami Cookies

Published on December 13, 2014

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. tracy lynn says

    October 21, 2022 at 6:18 AM

    5 stars
    I will never make any other cookie! I grew up eating date cookies and these are the best I’ve ever had. Also, this recipe led me to your awesome blog, so Win-Win!

    Reply
    • Sally Humeniuk says

      October 22, 2022 at 12:10 PM

      Wow, Tracy Lynn! This is quite a nice compliment. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

      Reply
  2. ava malott says

    October 21, 2022 at 6:16 AM

    5 stars
    I’ve never tried these before – but man o’ man do they look delish! I love trying all different kinds of cookies 🙂

    Reply
    • Sally Humeniuk says

      October 22, 2022 at 12:10 PM

      Thanks, Ava! I like trying all kinds of recipes, especially baking ones, too. I hope you like them!

      Reply
  3. shannon f says

    October 21, 2022 at 6:15 AM

    5 stars
    Easy, sweet, & authentic tasting!

    Reply
  4. T S says

    December 20, 2019 at 11:20 PM

    5 stars
    I bake a LOT of holiday cookies each December, always introducing one or two new recipes each year. Last year I tried these and absolutely LOVED them. This year I’ve dialed back a bit on the number of varieties I’m baking, but have permanently added these to the core list of “must-haves” because they keep well, they make a lot, and most importantly they’re delicious. One of my personal favorites.

    Reply
    • Sally Humeniuk says

      December 21, 2019 at 9:04 AM

      T S, You’ve made my day! We love these cookies too and I am honored that you call this recipe a “personal favorite” and “must-have”! Merry Christmas to you and Happy New Year!

      Reply
  5. Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says

    December 14, 2014 at 11:46 AM

    These look and sound fabulous! Definitely something I want to make. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Sally says

      December 14, 2014 at 1:19 PM

      You’re welcome Andrea. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
About Sally - Good Dinner Mom.

About Good Dinner Mom

My name is Sally and I love to be in the kitchen. Making fresh, unique dishes is my way of showing love for family and friends and I hope that here you’ll find recipes of both healthy and indulgent dishes that will inspire you to cook more at home while sharing some love of your own. more about me

Find a recipe:

Latest Recipes

The Best Macaroni and Cheese I’ve Ever Had

Jalapeno Peppers with cheese and jalapenos stacked on a plate. A can of beer in background

Jalapeno Popper Pigs In A Blanket

Stuffed Jalapeños

Delicious Spiced Pear Oatmeal Recipe

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cake

Halloween neapolitan cookies layered on black board. Cookies are purple black and natural with M&M's on them.

Halloween Neapolitan Cookies

  • The Main Dish
  • 30 Minutes or Less
  • Fresh from the Bakery
  • Vegetarian
  • Shop
macaroni and cheese with peas asparagus and basil
The best Chinese Chicken Salad is right here with fresh vegetables, tender chicken and amazing Asian peanut salad dressing. Ready in under 30 minutes.
Oven Baked Chowder
Privacy Policy
Copyright ©2023, Good Dinner Mom. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs