A dessert doesn't have to be an culinary masterpiece or have an elaborate presentation. Date Cream Cheese Roll-ups and Walnut Crumb Cake are perfect examples of sweet success.
Linda Askren of Plum led us to the first recipe: "I am looking for a recipe for a date cookie my mother used to make. The dough contained cream cheese and was rolled and cut into strips with a ravioli cutter. The dough was wrapped around a whole pitted date and baked." Alberta Schotting of Robinson wrote that Date Cream Cheese Roll-ups has been "an old standby in our family since the 1960s."
Walnut Crumb Cake was sent by Helen Lamison of Carnegie, in response to this request from Hazel Dixon of Evans City, Butler County: "I have contacted you many times for recipes, and you have been kind enough to send worthwhile suggestions. Now I have another one. I would like to try to duplicate Sara Lee's French Crumb Cake."
DATE CREAM CHEESE ROLL-UPS
- 1 cup butter or margarine
- 8-ounce package cream cheese
- 2 cups sifted flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Confectioners' sugar
- Pitted dates
Cream together butter and cream cheese.
Blend in flour and salt. Chill dough at least 2 hours or until firm enough to roll.
On a board generously sprinkled with confectioners' sugar, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness.
Using a pastry wheel or knife cut dough in 1-by-3-inch strips. Place a date at 1 inch end of the dough and roll up. Pinch seam to seal. Place cookies seam side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 15 minutes.
Sprinkle afterward with confectioners' sugar.
Makes about 5 dozen cookies.
Note: Candied cherries or nuts can be used in place of dates.
WALNUT CRUMB CAKE
- 2 cups sifted flour
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 1 stick butter
- <1/2 cup sifted flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 egg, beaten
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chopped black walnuts, optional
Mix 2 cups sifted flour, brown sugar and butter together until crumbly. Save 1/2 cup of the crumbs to sprinkle over top of cake.
Mix1/2 cup flour, baking powder, cinnamon, egg, milk and chopped black walnuts in order given and add to the crumbly mixture above. Mix all well. Spread evenly in an 8-inch greased cake pan. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup of crumby mixture over the top of cake.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.
First Published: April 15, 2004, 4:00 a.m.
