Pinwheel Date Cookies

For Date Filling:
1 (16 oz) package Dates
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup walnuts, chopped finely

For Cookie Dough:
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup shortening
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
4 cups flour

1.   In a saucepan cook the dates, sugar and water together until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in walnuts.  Set aside to cool.

2.  Cream together the brown sugar and shortening. Add eggs and vanilla.  Mix well.  Add salt, baking soda and flour.  Mix well.

3.  Roll the cookie dough out into a rectangle.  Cover with cooled date/ nut mixture.  Roll up like up like cinnamon rolls into a log.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate cookie log overnight or for several hours. 

4.  Cut log into sections and place on cookie sheets.  Bake at 350℉ for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookie is lightly browned. 

Can make nut mixture one day, cookie dough the next and refrigerate and bake the next day if needed.

From Betty and Klea