From the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live. John 3:16 (NIV)

When I was a kid growing up on our dairy farm in Wisconsin 40 years ago, cookies with a date filling were my dad's favorite kind. Here is the recipe.

• 3/4 cup butter or margarine (softened)
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 5 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• several tablespoons of milk if the dough seems too dry
• Jam: blackberry, black raspberry, strawberry, red
raspberry, plum conserve, apple conserve, or date filling (recipes for plum and apple conserve and date filling are included below.)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, margarine, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. If the dough is too dry, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk. If the dough seems too wet, add 1/4 or 1/2 cup of flour.

Roll out dough. Use either a small round cookie cutter or one large round cutter. Place cookies on an ungreased baking sheet. Put one teaspoon of jam (or other filling) in the middle of the smaller rounds or off to one side of the larger rounds. Place another small round on top of the small rounds; fold the larger rounds in half. Use a fork to crimp the edges together and to poke holes in the top. Bake for 15 minutes, or until light brown.

This recipe makes about six dozen filled cookies.

The recipe can also be used to make cut-out Christmas cookies frosted with colored icing.

************

~ Plum Conserve ~

If plum conserve is made specifically for filling cookies, store any that remains in the refrigerator and use on toast or biscuits. The conserve can also be sealed in pint jars. (This recipe makes about three pints.)

• 8 to 10 fresh, large, ripe plums
• 1/2 cup of water
• 4 cups of sugar
• 2 cups of raisins
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Pit the plums and chop into small pieces. Place in a large saucepan and add the sugar and water. Boil for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the lemon juice, raisins and walnuts and cook for 10 minutes longer, stirring constantly. (Note: Recipe can also be made using 3 cups of chopped apples instead of plums. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.)

~ Date Filling ~

• 3 cups chopped dates
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 2/3 cups water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Put all ingredients into a saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (10 or 15 minutes).

About The Author
LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the book: Christmas In Dairyland (True Stories From a Wisconsin Farm). Share the view from Rural Route 2 and celebrate Christmas during a simpler time. Free shipping on autographed copies. http://ruralroute2.com
bigpines@ruralroute2.com

Web recipes-on-the-net.com

5 Secrets for Making an Award Winning Chili by Kevin Kannmacher
A Delicious Christmas Recipe To Make Your Mouth Water by Clive Jenkins
Artful Cooking (ebook package with over 14,000 recipes and over 190 bonus ebooks)
Banana Pudding and Vanilla Wafers... the Perfect Crowd Pleaser! by D. Marie Giolitto
Best Recipes: Holiday Mint Brownies by Donna Monday
Black-Eyed Peas: A New Year's Day Tradition by Suzanne Lieurance
Break Out the Barbeque by Marg Ruttan
Buttermint Sugar Cookie Recipe by Griffin Wetzstein
Chinese Dumplings on Chinese New Year by Shelia Woo
Chocolate Valentine's Day Recipes by Jill S
Christmas Cheesecake by Andrew Krause
Christmas Cookie Decorating 101 by Mimi Cummins
Christmas Dinner Made More Festive by Susan Dunn, MA, Personal Life Coach
Easter Baking and Cooking Tips (Plus a Bonus Easter Recipe) by Jill Seader
Easter Recipe For Kids by Christine Steendahl
Easy Holiday Quick Bread Recipes by Rachel Paxton
Five Fun Food Tips - How to Beat the Post-Holiday Blues with Great Food Ideas by Marybeth Gregg
Fourth Of July Barbecue - Two Ways To Make Corn On The Cob by Julia Hayes
Fourth of July BBQ - Spare Ribs Recipe by Julia Hayes
Fourth of July Recipe – Flag Cake by by Jill Seader
Frugal and Easy Thanksgiving Recipes by Cyndi Roberts
Fun Baked Birthday Treats by Susanne Myers
Fun Halloween Recipes and Ideas by Audrey Okaneko
GourmetLicious! - Plan Great Dinner Parties
Halloween Cakes Centerpiece And Dessert by Susanne Myers
Halloween Recipes by Jill S
Here's The Beef by Carol A Hill
Holiday Nut Bars Recipe by Griffin Wetzstein
Holiday Recipe: Filled Cookies by LeAnn R. Ralph
Hot and Spicy Cookout for Memorial Day Weekend by Pat Schraier
How to Create a Birthday Cake They Will Remember by Melissa Kelly
How to Host Thanksgiving Dinner and Enjoy it Anyway by Skip Lombardi
How To Make A Romantic Fondue Dinner For Valentine's Day by Anthony Tripodi
July 4th Celebration ...More Than A Double Ration Of Rum by Donna Hager
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Ideas by David Urmann
Magical Cakes For St. Patrick's Day by Samantha Mitchell
Memorial Day Party Menu Ideas for a Relaxing Memorial Day Party by Gail Leino
Mother's Day Breakfast - Start Mom's Special Day With These Ideas by Susanne Myers
My Mother's Recipe Box by Rachel Paxton
Not Sure What To Serve For Easter Dinner? by Donna Hager
Outside the Box Gingerbread Houses by Marti Mayne
Party Appetizer Recipes – So Easy And So Affordable! by Jonathan Teng
Party Themes - Luau Birthday Party Recipes by Hilary Basile
Pineapple Palm Tree Fruit Display - Good for Luau Party
Quick And Simple Halloween Recipes by Jeff Layer
Recipes for Superbowl Party - Tangy Barbecue Wings by Brandy Summers
Setting A Festive Table Tips For A Striking Presentation by Bob Kiefer
St Patrick's Day Party Menu Ideas for a Rollicking St Patrick's Party by Gail Leino
St. Patrick's Day Treats by Susanne Myers
Tempting Holiday Treats by Rachel Paxton
Thanksgiving Recipes: Brining Your Turkey For The Juiciest, Tastiest Turkey, You'll Ever Eat.. by Allison Twitt
Theme Recipes for Valentine's Day - Salad / Main / Dessert by Noraini Maskuri
The Top Three Recipes Every Halloween Party Must Have - Revised! by Colin Joss
This Thanksgiving Serve A Turducken And Delight Your Guests by Neil Street
Top 10 Holiday Turkey Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Dinner by Nicole Anderson
Valentine Recipes - Delicious Puddings for Your Sweetheart by Amy Tylor
Valentine's Day Baking Recipes by Jill S
Valentine's Day Menu by Noraini Maskuri

< Back to Holiday Recipes