Come read Becca’s amazing story of beauty on Faces of Beauty today!
Please vote for me to advance to Round 4 in Project Food Blog! It’s easy: just click here 
First of all, thank you so much for all of your incredibly sweet comments on yesterday’s post. This is a really hard time for my family, but it’s great to know that there are so many caring people out there who will help love and support us through this time. Thanks to all of you for being awesome 🙂
A couple years ago I had a revelation.
A cooking magazine revelation.
You see, my sister (who’s always been interested in nutrition) was getting Eating Well magazine. I’d never heard of it but can honestly say that it was the first magazine I ever read where I wanted to make EVERYTHING in the entire thing. I mean, they showed you how to make healthy tamales! I think we all know I was hooked.
In that same issue they also had several cookie recipes that I tried, but there was one that stood above the crowd: One Nutty Date cookies.
I’ll be honest and say that I was a little skeptical when I decided to make these. I mean, dates? I’d never had dates! Plus they looked kind of nasty…like huge bugs that would attack me in my sleep.
Yes, I know I’m weird.
Yes, Nate knows it too.
Luckily he sees it as “endearing” – at least that’s what he tells me 🙂
Anyway, these cookies are amazing, but somehow I forgot about them for a few years. On Monday night when we got the news about my Papa all I could think about was baking…doing something with my hands…doing something that would make me feel closer to him. He was such a fantastic baker for so many years, and I decided to make the simplest recipe I could just to be in that moment with his memory. Y’all, these were perfect. I felt instantly calmed, and although I am still sad, I know that every time I bake my Papa will be watching over me.
Hopefully he knows how to adapt recipes to high altitude requirements 🙂
Y’all are amazing 🙂
I love both dates AND cookies! I’m glad they were able to help bring you a little comfort. You’re a gem, Heather.
These look so soft and delicious. I love dates. Bookmarking the recipe!
These cookies do look amazing. I love when you come across an old recipe that blows your mind. You gotta think, you saved it for a reason! 🙂
You have such a healthy attitude during such a sad time. You and your family are still in my thoughts and prayers.
Those cookies look fabulous, especially in the jar. Your food presentation is hard to beat 🙂
Mmm! My grandma and I used to make date pinwheels. Similar recipe, similar memories.
https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/date-pinwheels-and-their-cranberry-cousins-recipe
<3
Recipe please! Those look amazing :0)
I think it’s just beautiful that you were able to find a sense of peace and closeness to your grandpa through baking. And the cookies look pretty darn delicious too! 🙂
Those cookies look so delicious! Eating Well is one of my favorite magazines. I could spend all day staring at the pictures!
Voted, go Heather go!!!!!
I should look at Eating Well more, I think it’s a VT magazine…
I love the cookies in the jar presentation, gorgeous!
Isn’t it amazing how cooking is tied to so many senses and emotions? That’s probably why I love it so much. Thanks for sharing girl!
Heather–these look so tasty! I don’t cook with dates often, but first got introduced to them in LaraBars. I’ve been hooked ever since! I would love to try this recipe–thanks for sharing 🙂
So sorry about your papa girl.. thoughts are with you and your family.
The cookies look so yummy! Amazing pictures too.
I’ve never heard of Eating Well. Good to know! And I totally have to same opinion of dates. Especially the huge Medjool dates. They look like flying cockroaches!
These look great! I love finding new cookie recipes, especially as the holidays approach (you see, my mom’s side of the family is Italian so food + cookies + dessert + anything not nailed down = Christmas Eve)! Thanks for sharing!
dates = beetles
I love how baking/cooking can bring back so many family memories and a sense of closeness to those we’ve lost. Beautiful!
Eating Well is one of my Favs 🙂 obviously hahaha, thats why you mentioned it in the post. I know Papa was definitely there with you while you were baking them 🙂
I love dates and I love cookies — I must make these!
And I think it is so sweet to think of your Papa while you bake!
these look great and I have to say I love your last line about adjusting to higher altitudes! Glad you can keep your sense of humor during a time of sadness, that’s important. 🙂
I love Eating Well! I agree, I always want to make almost everything I see. I make a ton from there. And it is always delicious!