Gluten Free Date Sandwich Cookies
A twist on the traditional jam filled cookies, these Gluten Free Date Sandwich Cookies are delicious, easy to make with a dairy free option.
If I’m being honest, I was never really a big fan of dates. I’m not sure if it’s because of how they look, it was just never appealing to me. Until one year, (before I had to go gluten free) one of my adopted aunts gave me a traditional Arabic cookie called maamoul that they make around Christmas that was filled with dates and since then, I’ve changed my tune. So when I saw dates on sale on my last trip to the grocery, I grabbed a batch and decided to try these Gluten Free Date Sandwich Cookies.
How to make Gluten Free Date Sandwich Cookies
What I love about these cookies are that they look they take a lot of work, but in reality are so easy to make. It’s a simple brown sugar cookie dough, with a 3 ingredient date filling. But when you put them together it’s just magic!
Ingredients for these Gluten Free Date Sandwich Cookies
Dates – there are so many different types of dates with the most popular being Medjool dates. For this recipe, I used whatever dates I could find. So you don’t need to worry about searching for any specific one.
Butter – I used regular butter and dairy free alternative as well for this recipe. So if you can’t have dairy, this recipe is adaptable for you.
Brown Sugar – the brown sugar really brings out the flavour of the date filling in this cookie. But if you don’t have brown sugar, white works as well too.
Gluten Free Flour – I used my go to homemade blend, but any 1:1 baking flour blend works, just make sure it has gum added, like this one.
Filling these Gluten Free Sandwich Cookies
What makes these cookies so yummy is the date filling in the middle. Super easy to make with just 3 ingredients. However, you can change things up and use your favourite jam instead. The cookie based is a simple vanilla which goes with almost any flavour.
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients it’s just time to pull out that apron and get baking! I hope you enjoy the recipe and as always tag us on social if you make it.
Happy Baking!
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Gluten Free Date Sandwich Cookies
A twist on the traditional jam filled cookies, these Gluten Free Date Sandwich Cookies are delicious, easy to make with a dairy free option.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- ½ cup butter or dairy free alternative, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1¾ cups gluten free 1:1 baking flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Date Filling
- 1 cup chopped dates
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup water
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the gluten free flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine then set aside.
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or using a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until creamy. Add the egg, beat well until incorporated then add vanilla and mix again.
- Gradually add the gluten free flour mixture to the butter and egg mixture. Mix until a dough comes together. Once dough has formed, it will be a little sticky, cover and chill for at least one hour.
- 10 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment and set aside.
- LIghtly dust your work surface with gluten free flour. Turn the dough out (it will be easier to handle) knead slightly to bring dough together then roll out the dough to ¼ inch thick. Using a 2 inch circle cutter, cut out as many circles as you can. Re-rolling the leftover dough and cutting more circles to use up the cookie dough.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Bake for 10-13 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Remove from heat, let sit on the sheets for 5 mintues before transfering to a cooling rack to cool completely before filling.
- While the cookie dough is chilling or while the cookies are cooling, make the date filling.
- In a small sauce pan combine chopped dates, sugar and water. Mix to combine, then cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until bubbly and thickend to a jam like consistency.
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- To fill you cookies, spread a little of the date filling on the bottom of one cookie, top with another cookie. Repeat until you have filled all the cookies or as many cookeis ae you can will the filling.
- Once cookies are filled, you are ready to serve and enjoy!
Notes
- The cookie part of this recipe is a simple brown sugar cookie recipe. So any leftover cookies can be enjoyed by themselves
- The date filling in these cookies really stands out, but you can even try filling it with your favourite jam instead.
- If you don't have brown sugar, not to worry, white sugar works as well.
- Chilling the dough is important as it makes it easier to handle. We chilled the dough for at least one hour, but you could leave it a little longer. I won't suggest longer than 4 hours as the dough can dry out and become crackly.
- Depending on the thickness of your cookies, it can take as much as 15-17 minutes before they are done. The key is to look for the slightly golden edges.
