Date Kisses Recipes

DATE-NUT KISSES

Steps:

• Set 2 oven racks at top and bottom thirds of oven.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Spray 2 non-stick baking sheets generously with oil spray.
• In shallow pan over medium-high heat, toast almonds until lightly browned, about 15 minutes, stirring several times.
• Set aside.
• In clean, dry bowl, beat egg white with salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
• Add rum extract.
• While beating, gradually sprinkle in granulated sugar.
• Beat in dark brown sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Fold in dates, raisins and almonds.
• Drop mixture by teaspoon onto baking sheets 3 inches apart, to make 25 cookies.
• Stagger pans on separate racks so lower pan is not directly below top pan.
• Bake cookies 10 minutes.
• Switch pans to opposite racks.
• Bake 10 minutes more or until cookies are light brown, firm and feel dry to the touch.
• Turn off oven.
• Let cookies sit in oven 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cool completely on baking sheets.
• Using metal spatula, gently remove cookies from sheets.
• If not served immediately, store in airtight container, with wax paper between layers, up to 3 days.
• These are crisp on the outside and slightly chewy inside on the first day, they later become chewy throughout.

DATE KISSES

Steps:

• Beat egg whites until soft peaks form add sugar gradually, beating until all sugar is added. Fold in remaining ingredients and drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350° F oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven let stand until cookies are set, about 10 to 15 minutes.

DATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan. In a saucepan, combine water and raisins. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chopped dates and baking soda. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter and 3/4 cup white sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour, salt and date mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove cake from oven, and set oven to Broil.
• Make Topping: In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Stir in brown sugar, cream and chopped nuts. Spread mixture over warm cake and place under broiler until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Watch carefully - it burns easily under the broiler. Cool before serving.

DATE-NUT MERINGUES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200°F.
• In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites until foamy. With the mixer on high speed, beat in salt; then gradually add sugar, about a tableshppon at a time, beating well after each addition, until whites fold stiff, glossy peaks.
• Add vanilla and beat for 1 minute. Fold in dates and walnuts.
• Drop meringue mixture by rounded teaspoonfulls onto well-greased cooking sheets, spacing cookies about 1 inch apart. Bake in a 200°F oven for 1 hour or until outside is dry and set; cookies should not turn brown.
• Let cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer to racks and let cool completely. Store airtight.