When I was younger, I always thought that a cookie without chocolate chips was a lost opportunity. Even worse – cookies with raisins instead of chocolate chips! But, as I aged and grew wiser I came to realize how much I adored oatmeal cookies sans chocolate. I also developed a love of date squares (partly because they remind me of my dad). So why not combine these delicious treats for the ultimate cookie? I present you with vegan and gluten-free Oatmeal Date Sandwich Cookies. Mmm.
To all my Canadian friends, I hope you had a nice long weekend and ate delicious vegan food! In Manitoba, where I live, there was a really bad winter storm over Thanksgiving weekend. I love a good and cozy winter storm, but this one was terrible. Tens of thousands of people lost power — and some still don’t have power! The damage was also significant. We lost so many trees. I have never seen anything quite like it, and I think it’s only a sign of what’s to come.
Oatmeal Date Sandwich Cookies
The Oatmeal Cookies
The oatmeal cookie used in this recipe is loosely based off my very popular Crispy Maple Oatmeal Cookies. I cut the sweetness of the cookies in half so that the sweetness from the dates could really shine through. I also removed the maple flakes and the coconut, but I have no doubt in my mind that these would still be lovely additions! The cookies are crunchy, but that’s done so they don’t get too soft overtime.
The Date Filling
To amp up the date filling, I decided to cook my dates in bourbon. I love the smell of bourbon and cinnamon in the Fall. The addition of the orange juice and zest brings it to the next level. It’s almost like you’re cooking the dates in an Old Fashioned. Don’t worry — the bourbon will get boiled and it doesn’t leave a strong, overpowering flavour. That being said, you can most definitely sub water (or do half booze and half water) and these cookies will still be A+ delicious. I also can’t afford to put 3/4 cup of bourbon in all my desserts so I have definitely made these babies using water.
These Oatmeal Date Sandwich Cookies pair perfectly well with a cup of coffee or tea for a late morning or afternoon snack. As the days get gloomier and cooler, it’s important to make sure that you’re cozy! And what’s more cozy than the smell of cookies and wafts of cinnamon coming from the oven?
More vegan and gluten-free treats for the autumn
Perfectly spiced oatmeal cookies are filled with a bourbon spiked date spread to make the ultimate vegan and gluten-free Oatmeal Date Sandwich Cookies.
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (certified gf if required)
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup vegan butter (I used vegan becel)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 cups chopped dates (not fresh), loosely packed* (about 325-350 grams)
- 3/4 cup bourbon or whiskey (can sub water, or do half and half)
- 1 tbsp fresh squeezed orange
- zest of one small orange
- 1/4 tsp salt
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Farenheit and line a baking sheet with parchement.
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In a small bowl, combine the oats, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
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In a large bowl, beat together the vegan butter, sugar, and maple syrup until for 2 minutes.
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Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix well. You will probably need to get your hands in there!
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Roll the cookie dough into 1 tbsp balls – you should get 24 cookies (and then 12 cookie sandwiches).
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Place on the parchment line cookie and flaten the balls with the palm of your hand. If any pieces crumble out a bit, gently squeeze them back in.
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Bake for 12-14 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for a couple of minutes before moving to a cooling rack. Let the cookies cool completely before making into sandwiches.
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Place the dates, bourbon or water, orange juice and zest, and salt into a small saucepan.
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Over medium high heat, bring to a boil.
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After it's come to a boil, turn the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for about 12-15 minutes, stiring ocassionaly. It will start to thicken pretty fast (and then stop "simmering" due to lack of liquid). But keep cooking it, as you want it to be a thick enough to be sandwiched in between cookies without oozing out everywhere! It will, of course, firm up a bit when it is cool.
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When it is done, let cool compltely before using.
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After everything has cooled, spread a generous amount of date filling on a cookie and then top with another cookie.
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Store in an airtight container and let the cookies sit for a few hours, or overnight. This time lets the flavour meld, while also alowing the filling to soften the cookies a bit.
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Enjoy! (you can totally eat them right away too, I do)
*When I say not fresh, I mean not the super fresh soft, buttery dates. You want to use (at least slightly) dried dates, or your filling will be too thin. I used the variety that comes in a block for baking.
These cookies look delicious. They remind me of a date square, only in cookie form, and the bourbon addition sounds intriquing. Pinning to try!
Thanks Colleen! Hope you like them!
These look fantastic, totally something I would make for my daughter to enjoy.
Thanks Kristen!
These look so delicious! I love oatmeal cookies and date squares, so this is a match made in heaven!
I thought so, too – thanks Kim! 🙂
Date squares make me so nostalgic. I love dates and chocolate!! Oh my gosh, these look so good. My Mom used to make date squares and they were one of my favourites!
They make me nostalgic, too! I think because my dad always ate them 🙂
Sadly OATS are not considered Gluten Free in Australia 🇦🇺
I didn’t know that — that’s too bad! Regular oats are not GF here in Canada, but we can get certified GF oats.
These were AWESOME. The only problem I see is longevity. They seem to disappear as I am making them. The bourbon was a great addition. Though not mentioned in the recipe, I did use an immersion blender for a smoother texture and sreadability. One other difference, I did not have vegan butter on hand so I used coconut oil; it seems to have worked well.
One tip. After placing the balls of dough on a parchment covered cookie sheet I pressed them with a Ball canning jar lid. Because the flat lid is separate from its ring, it allows you to use the ring as a standard form while pressing the dough down evenly. It does take a minute to get the hang of it. Place the assembled ring on the dough, hold the ring in place and press firmly on the loose lid while running your finger or thumb around the lid surface for uniformity.
Thank you! I guess longevity isn’t the worst problem to have 🙂 And thank you for this tip — I’m going to try that next time I make these!!
I was only able to find gluten free oats, but they were Scottish stone ground oats. It meant that the cookie was a bit more crumbly so I added a flax egg to bind it better. Seemed to work. Also I didnt have orange so I used a lemon, nice sharpness against the dates!
Oh adding a flax egg is a good idea! Lemon sounds delicious with dates, too! 🙂
Hi, did you use the Bob’s red mill gluten free flour 1 to 1 Baking flour with the blue bag?
Thanks!
Sorry for the slow response! I used the Bob’s All Purpose flour, which comes in the red bag. I haven’t tried it with the Bob’s 1-1 yet — if you do, let me know how they turn out!
I have been making these for some time now. I have only used spelt flour. I get it 25lbs at a time to save cost and divide it into 5lb zip locks as soon as it arrives. The cookies are a request by all of our friends. However, I have started leaving out the filling (personal reasons) and making the cookies independently. They are awesome. If you didn’t read my first comment you may want to. I use a Ball jar lid to shape and press the cookies firmly before baking. Best oatmeal cookies.
I’m so glad you like them — and happy to hear they work with spelt flour! I do recall your comment about using a jar lid for shaping the cookies. I haven’t made these in awhile, but next time I do I will definitely be trying that trick. Thanks so much! 🙂
Can you roll these out and cook folded over with the filling in them?
Hi Nadine, I’m not sure – sorry! I have never tried that. If you’re looking for more of a date square, I would recommend using my fruit crumble bar recipe and replace the fruit filling with the date filling of these cookies. https://theveganharvest.com/2017/08/09/fruit-crumble-bars/