Halloween Date Filled Cookies are the kind of treat that instantly brings comfort and nostalgia. I still remember the first time I baked these cookies with my mom in the weeks leading up to Halloween. The kitchen smelled like caramelized dates and buttery dough, and I couldn’t wait to bite into that warm, soft cookie filled with gooey sweetness. What I love most about this recipe is how it transforms simple ingredients into a festive treat that’s both spooky and comforting. These cookies are ready in under an hour of hands-on time and deliver the perfect balance of chewy filling, tender cookie layers, and just the right touch of fall charm.
If you’ve been searching for the best Halloween Date Filled Cookies or how to make date stuffed cookies at home, this is the recipe you need.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and chewy with a gooey date center that feels like a sweet surprise.
- Perfectly festive for Halloween parties, school treats, or cozy nights at home.
- Beginner-friendly recipe with simple, pantry-ready ingredients.
- Customizable with fun Halloween cut-outs or spooky designs.
- A classic cookie with a seasonal twist that works for both fall baking and holiday spreads.
A Little History
Date-filled cookies have deep roots in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions, where dates are often used as a natural sweetener in baked goods. Over time, recipes traveled and transformed, showing up in American kitchens during the early 20th century as oatmeal date-filled cookies and festive holiday treats. Today, versions like Halloween Date Filled Cookies bring that old-fashioned goodness into a fun, seasonal form.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Date Filling
- 2 cups chopped dates
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready when your cookies are assembled.
Make the Dough
Cream together the shortening and both sugars until fluffy. Add in the egg, milk, and vanilla, mixing well. Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt, then add to the wet mixture. Blend until smooth. Chill the dough for at least one hour for easier rolling.
Prepare the Filling
In a saucepan, combine chopped dates, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil, cover, and let simmer for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally, then add lemon juice and salt. Let the mixture cool before using.
Roll and Cut the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out half the dough to just under 1/8 inch thick. Use a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter to cut shapes. For a spooky Halloween touch, use pumpkin, bat, or ghost cutters.
Assemble the Cookies
Place one tablespoon of filling in the center of each base cookie. Top with another cookie round, pressing the edges with a fork to seal.
Bake to Perfection
Arrange cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Cool before serving.
Pro Tips for Success
- Chill the dough thoroughly so it rolls easily without sticking.
- Don’t overfill the cookies—1 tablespoon of date filling is perfect.
- For a spooky effect, cut small shapes (like eyes or a jack-o’-lantern smile) in the top cookie layer.
- Use parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Delicious Variations
- Oatmeal Version: Add 1 cup rolled oats to the dough for a heartier cookie.
- Nutty Twist: Mix chopped walnuts or pecans into the filling.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over cooled cookies for an indulgent touch.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Halloween Date Filled Cookies with hot apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Arrange them on a platter with other spooky cookies for a festive Halloween dessert table.
- Calories: 170
- Carbs: 28g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 6g
- Sodium: 90mg
Note: Adding nuts or chocolate drizzle will increase calories and fat.
Storage & Leftovers
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months with parchment between layers.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-baked softness.
Conclusion
Now you know how to make Halloween Date Filled Cookies — soft, chewy, and filled with sweet fall flavor. Have you baked these spooky cookies yet? Share your twist in the comments, pass this recipe along to friends, and be sure to save it for your Halloween baking list.
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FAQs
Q: How to make a date filling for cookies?
A: Combine chopped dates, sugar, and water, simmer until thickened, then add lemon juice and salt for balance.
Q: What happened to Archway date-filled oatmeal cookies?
A: Archway discontinued many of its classic varieties, including the date-filled oatmeal cookies, but homemade versions like these bring the flavor back.
Q: What is Taylor Swift’s favorite type of cookie?
A: Taylor Swift has shared that she loves chai sugar cookies, but she also enjoys classic holiday cookies.
Q: What are Lebanese date stuffed cookies?
A: They are called Ma’amoul, a traditional Middle Eastern shortbread cookie filled with dates, nuts, or figs, often served during religious holidays.
Halloween Date Filled Cookies – Classic Stuffed Cookies with a Festive Twist
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, chewy Halloween Date Filled Cookies with a sweet, gooey date center — perfect for fall baking and festive parties.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
1 cup shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
3 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
Date Filling:
2 cups chopped dates
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cream shortening and sugars until fluffy. Add egg, milk, and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt, then add to the wet mixture. Chill dough 1 hour.
4. In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil, simmer 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and salt. Cool.
5. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with 2 1/2 inch round cutter.
6. Place 1 tbsp filling on each cookie base. Top with another cookie and seal edges with fork.
7. Bake 10–12 minutes until lightly golden. Cool before serving.
Notes
Chill dough for easier rolling.
Don’t overfill cookies to avoid leakage.
Use fun Halloween-shaped cutters for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Halloween Date Filled Cookies, spooky cookies, stuffed cookies, fall baking