Caramel Sticky Date Cookies

Just wanted to share a quick batch of cookies I made the other day - I wanted to make a cheesecake but I didn't have any biscuits for the base. So I whipped up this batch and to make them a bit more interesting I decided to make them Caramel and Sticky Date flavoured. Yumm. One handy tip I would like to mention is about ginger. I love fresh ginger, but I never find that I use a lot at a time. Keeping it in a ziplock bag in the freezer keeps it much longer, and makes it super easy to grate up- the same goes with garlic cloves/bulbs too! Pop them in the freezer to make them last and then just grate them up with a plane or a little cheese grater when you need them!

They were super quick and easy, and a bit more exciting than plain old biscuits - and made a fantastic base for my cheesecake (post to follow!).

Enjoy,

Frankie xo

Caramel Sticky Date Cookies



100g dates
100mL water
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
250g butter
2/3 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 1/4 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

Preheat oven to 180C.


Place the dates and the water in a saucepan and bring to the boil.


Remove from the heat and stir through the baking powder to break down the dates.


Place the sugar into a pan over a medium heat and keep a close eye on it until it melts.


When the caramel has turned a nice brown colour remove from the heat and spread onto a piece of baking paper or silicone mat.


Mix together butter and caster sugar until light and pale in colour.


Add in the egg and mix well.


Add in the plain flour, cinnamon and ginger and mix.


Smash up the toffee when it has set. (Eat the small pieces that fly off the chopping board when you smash it).


Stir through the caramel pieces and the dates until combined.


Spoon onto baking tray making sure to leave a few cm between each one. You can also put the dough in the fridge and wait for it to firm up then roll it into a cylinder and cut rounds but I was way too impatient..


Bake for 15-20 minutes until they smell delicious and are golden brown. I made 18 fairly large cookies.
Enjoy with a nice cup of tea or coffee!