Coconut Dates Icebox Cookies

This easy recipe changes up the usual sugar cookie by adding cinnamon, sweet dates, and tropical coconut. If coconut-date is not your favorite combo, we have other variations like Mexican chocolate, Meyer lemon and black pepper, or simple, classic sugar cookies.

Game plan: The dates can be finely chopped in a food processor. Quarter them first, then place in a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Pulse until finely chopped, about 30 to 40 (1-second) pulses.

The dough logs can be frozen for up to a month: Just wrap the plastic-covered logs tightly in aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and baking.

This recipe was retested and updated by the CHOW Test Kitchen in December 2012.

Instructions

1. 1Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl to break up any lumps; set aside.
2. 2Place the butter and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until lightened in color and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and paddle with a rubber spatula.
3. 3Return the mixer to medium speed, add the egg and vanilla, and beat until just incorporated. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and paddle with the rubber spatula.
4. 4Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the reserved flour mixture. Mix until just incorporated. Add the dates and coconut and mix until just incorporated.
5. 5Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and divide it in half. Roll each portion into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.
6. 6When ready to bake the cookies, heat the oven to 350°F and arrange the racks to divide the oven into thirds.
7. 7Remove the dough logs from the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap, and slice the dough into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place on 2 baking sheets about 1/2 inch apart (about 20 cookies will fit on each sheet). Place any remaining dough back in the refrigerator.
8. 8Place both sheets in the oven and bake for 6 minutes. Rotate the baking sheets front to back and top to bottom and bake until the edges of the cookies are firm but the tops are still soft, about 6 to 7 minutes more.
9. 9Place the baking sheets on wire racks and let cool for 5 minutes. Using a flat spatula, transfer the cookies to the wire racks to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough (you can use the same baking sheets but cool them completely first).