Date and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

It was a perfect day yesterday to be in the kitchen baking delicious sweets and treats! It was overcast all day and even a little chilly, which was a big change from the sunny and muggy days we've been having this week.

I've had a container of dates sitting in my fridge for quite some time now, and I couldn't figure out exactly what I wanted to do with them, until yesterday. I found a recipe for date oatmeal cookies and realized I hadn't baked cookies since I graduated college! I decided I had some long overdue cookie baking to do with those dates.

The original recipe for these cookies called for all of the ingredients I have listed below, except for the chocolate chips (those were my idea which I must take credit for). Chocolate pretty much makes any cookie that much better, and I would not suggest whatsoever leaving them out of this recipe.

Now onto the amazing flavor that these cookies have the minute they hit your tastebuds! They are chewy on the inside and have a slight crunch on the outside and the chocolate chips just melt in your mouth. The dates add a nice fruity sweetness and chewiness to the cookie and are a nice change from traditional raisins you find in oatmeal cookies.

The bottom line, you should absolutely try out this delicious cookie recipe! The cookies are unique (on account of the dates) and they also make a great gift or dessert to bring to a summer party. They will not disappoint!

Date and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies:
(recipe slightly adapted from: http://www.finecooking.com/)

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup dates, chopped
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a baking sheet. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
3. In a stand mixer cream together the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until combined. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in the dry ingredients until well incorporated.
4. Fold the oats, dates and chocolate chips into the dough mixture and using a tablespoon, scoop balls of the dough onto the greased baking sheet, leaving 2 inches of space between each cookie.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cookies are golden and the middle is cooked through. Let cool for about 1 minute on the baking sheet and transfer to a cooling rack. Repeat with the rest of the dough.