Date Pinwheels (aka Date Nut Bars)

When Steve was a kid, his Mom made these great cookies at Christmas.  They were called 'date nut bars'.  I looked and looked and looked for similar recipes so I could add them to our Christmas cookie tradition.

Turns out they are actually called "Date Pinwheels" and are from the 'red & white cookbook', also known as the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook.

Filling:
1 8oz pkg pitted, whole dates, finely snipped (I cheat and buy the 'chopped' pkg!)
1/2 C water
1/3 C sugar
2 T lemon juice
1/2 t vanilla
(Optional - Steve thinks his Mom added walnuts to the filling - you can too!)

Cookie:
1/2 C shortening
1/2 C butter, softened
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1 egg
3 T milk
1 t vanilla
3 C all purpose flour

For filling, combine dates, water and the 1/3C sugar.  Bring to boil, reduce heat, cook and stir until thick (about 2 minutes).  Stir in lemon juice and the 1/2 t vanilla.  Set aside to cool.

Beat shortening and butter together on high speed for 30 seconds.  Add the remaining sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, beat until combined.  Beat in the egg, milk and remaining vanilla until combined.  Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer, and stir in remaining flour by hand.  Divide dough in half, cover and chill until easy to handle (at least an hour).

Roll half the dough in between pieces of waxed paper into a 12x10 inch rectangle.  Spread with half of the filling.  Roll up dough starting with a long side, moisten edge to seal.  Wrap and chill for 2-24 hours.  Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

Grease cookie sheet.  Cut rolls* into 1/4 inch slices, place slices 1 inch apart on sheet.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or edges are lightly brown.  Cool on wire rack.  Makes about 5 dozen.

*Jen's tip:  Use thread or dental floss to slice - knives will just make a mess! 
Use a 12 inch length of thread, place the center of the thread under the roll where you want to slice it.  Bring the ends up and over the top of the roll, quickly pull ends in opposite directions to tighten the loop - it will slice the dough as it tightens.

Spicy Winter Tea

Nothing better (or faster!) on a cold winter morning than this spicy tea.

1 1/4C orange drink mix
1C sweetened instant tea
1/2t ground cloves
1/2t ground allspice
1t ground cinnamon
.23oz package lemonade drink mix
3oz package apricot gelatin
sugar to taste

Combine all ingredients in large bowl.  Store in airtight container.

To serve:
1/4C mix
1C hot water

Mix thoroughly and enjoy!

Christmas Cappuccino

This recipe can be adjusted proportionately.  A full recipe will fill a couple gallon zipper bags, and give everyone on your list a little taste of Christmas.

6C instant chocolate drink mix
16C dry milk
4C powdered sugar
3C instant coffee granules
15 oz jar flavored non-dairy creamer (family favorites are peppermint or hazelnut)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Store in airtight containers.

To serve:
1/3C mix
1C hot water

Mix thoroughly and enjoy!