Welcome to a week of Christmas cheer! 🙂 I’ve teamed up with blogging friends to bring you something new every day this week. We’re starting the week off sharing recipes ~ and mine is something different ~ cheddar and date cookies!
Whether you call them cookies or biscuits ~ as in the type that the British serve with tea ~ these cheddar and date treats are a grown-up nibble. Not to say kids won’t like them too, but this sweet and savory combination is geared more to adult tastes.

my Aunt B. ~ she’s one of a kind!
This is a recipe that my Aunt B. always makes at Christmas ~ and she only offers these to her favorite people! She shared the recipe with me, and it was fun to make them with Bluwatermom this weekend.
I made folded squares, but folded half rounds work well too ~ or full rounds with the date filling between two layers of cheddar dough (this version is mom’s fave). Choose whatever style is your preference.

ingredients are ready to go ~
Making these with Bluwatermom meant we were certain to use “Tin Cup”. This measuring cup is older than I am, and I once remarked that mom could not do anything in the kitchen unless she measured with her tin cup! We consider it a family heirloom at this point. 🙂

can’t cook without tin cup!
Here’s the recipe and a few photos to help with the details ~
cheddar and date cookies ~~~
cheese dough ~
2 sticks of butter – softened to room temp
8 oz. sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese – finely grated
2 cups plain flour
pinch of salt (optional)
Combine with a fork or pastry cutter to blend, and finish by hand kneading to create a smooth dough. The photos are half of the dough recipe. It is easier to mix in two batches. (Oh, and that aluminum bowl was part of the original set that included Tin Cup ~ still used anytime we need a bowl in the kitchen!)
date and nut filling ~
10 oz. package of dates (diced with sugar)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water (add a bit during cooking if needed)
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Use dates straight from the package, or you can chop a bit more if you prefer them to be a finer consistency. I pulsed them a few times in the food processor. Combine dates, sugar and water ~ simmer until dates soften and the liquid reduces to a syrup. Add chopped nuts, stir to combine and remove from heat to cool.
Form dough into rounds between sheets of wax paper and chill at least one hour or longer. Return to room temp to roll out. Use plenty of flour on the board and rolling pin ~ this dough is sticky and a bit fragile. Cut into 2′ squares or 3″ rounds, depending on your desired results. I made folded squares, but folded half rounds work well too ~ or full rounds with the date filling between two layers of cheddar dough. Fill with about a half teaspoon of date & nut filling.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a flexible spatula to transfer filled cookies to parchment paper covered baking sheet. Bake 16-18 minutes until edges are slightly browned.
These are even better when the flavors have a chance to marry and mellow ~ so it’s good to make them a day or two ahead of time. They go well with another family recipe ~ Susan’s Favorite Cheese Bites ~ so named because my sister can eat an entire batch by herself unless we hide them! I hope you give either (or both!) of these a try. They will add something different to your holiday treat tray ~ and like my Aunt B. you can share them with your favorite people!
Check out the other goodies from my friends Vicki & Jennifer at 2 Bees in a Pod, Coco at The Crowned Goat, Lisa at Concord Cottage and Angie at The Altered Past. There are cakes and donuts and cookies and more!
We will bring you something new from each blog, every day this week. Tomorrow it’s all about special gift wrap – see you back here tomorrow!
Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod says
Wow Bobbi! I never would have thought of this savory combo. I love your step-by-step tutorial that we can easily follow. I don’t know if we can make ours as pretty as yours 🙂 I am totally in love with Tin Cup – that is a family treasure indeed!
bluwatergal says
Hey 2 Bees! These are pretty easy to make, and easy to make pretty too. Just can’t rush this dough when you are working with it ~ and it’s not a bad thing to have to slow down a bit 🙂 We laugh about Tin Cup around here, and it is indeed a family treasure. Happy Monday ladies! Bwg ~~~
CoCo says
Bobbi, oh man that tin cup brings back some serious memories! These look so good and I wouldn’t have thought to put dates and cheddar together even though I love both flavors! Thanks so much for another exciting recipe to try!
bluwatergal says
Hi Coco ~ knew you would appreciate Tin Cup 🙂 These cookies (biscuits?) are a different treat for any cookie platter. Happy December! Bwg ~~~
lISA says
Bobbi, these look so yummy and I love that you got to make them with your mom and don’t even get me started on that tin cup. I remember making cookies with my mom and it’s those memories that are so awesome. Anyway they look delicious and your pictures look like they are being featured on a magazine too. Have a great day xo Lisa
bluwatergal says
Thanks Lisa, that’s very sweet 🙂 Yes, it was extra good to make them with my mom, and even call my aunt for advice. Mom is also available as a photo assistant! Happy December and hope you have a great day too! Bwg ~~~
Ann Poole says
I am so excited you posted this recipe. These are the best things ever. I could eat the entire batch!
bluwatergal says
Hey Ann ~ you better hurry over before Bluwatermom eats them all 🙂 Bwg ~~~
Angie says
bwg, these look amazing! I love savory and sweet combos. I’m thinking these would be great with a glass of wine.
Love the tin cup too! How sweet 🙂
bluwatergal says
Thanks Angie ~ you bring the wine and I’ll make the cookies! Bwg ~~~