Dubai Chewy Cookie with Dates (Print Version)

Chewy, rich cookies infused with dates, pistachios, and aromatic Middle Eastern spices.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking soda
03 - ½ tsp salt
04 - ½ tsp ground cardamom
05 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
08 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 2 tsp vanilla extract

→ Mix-ins

11 - 1 cup dates, chopped
12 - ¾ cup roasted pistachios, roughly chopped
13 - ½ cup white or dark chocolate chips (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cardamom, and cinnamon. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
05 - Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
06 - Fold in chopped dates, pistachios, and chocolate chips if using.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
08 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are golden but centers are still soft.
09 - Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The dates keep these cookies incredibly moist for days unlike other cookies that dry out
  • Cardamom and cinnamon give them this warming spice that makes people ask what the secret ingredient is
02 -
  • Overbaking is the enemy here pull them out when they still look slightly soft in the center
  • Room temperature ingredients actually matter for this recipe to get the right texture
03 -
  • Chop the dates into small pieces so they distribute evenly throughout each cookie
  • Use room temperature eggs to prevent the butter from seizing when you mix them in

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