My initial excitement about this unusual cookie quickly turned to frustration -- mid-baking, the recipe seemed flawed and its instructions impossible. But, when I forged ahead (I will always throw good butter after bad) and tasted these ugly, odd-looking confections -- eureka! -- they were really, really good. So risking my baking reputation, and also because I have no shame, I brought these to work where every coworker agreed that the flavor was superb.
These delicious confections -- a sweet date paste encased in a butterscotch flavored cookie -- are truly wonderful, despite their sorry appearance. They are supposed to resemble fig newtons. The recipe needs work, or reworking. So if anyone is up for experimenting, I've shown you what I did (do not follow my lead, though!), plus some (not) guaranteed solutions and posted the recipe.
Mix up the batter.
Add the flour -- caution here. I added the correct amount, but it may have been too much.
Turn the dough out onto a work surface and form into logs. I could tell at this point that it was too dry.
Roll into logs, to the best of your ability. They should not have cracks.
Chill the logs and prepare the filling by first chopping some dates.
Combine dates, brown sugar and water in a small saucepan.
Cook down until a paste forms.
Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and slice. Top each with some date paste.
And here's where it gets tricky. After putting the top slice on, it seemed impossible to seal the edges as instructed. The dough (though sliced at the recommended 1/4 inch thick size) was too brittle to seal. So I just baked them "open sided."
Production notes: These were a fail (except in flavor) but so good that the recipe is worth playing with. Next time, I'd either use MUCH less flour or roll out the dough into two rectangles, spread the filling on one, and top with the other. I'd bake them, then cut when warm. (Also, use butter, not shortening.)
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