Date Surprise Biscuits

Do you plan your baking schedule, or do you prefer to make on spec what you can from around the house?  Because I am in a number of baking groups, I do have to do some planning, but otherwise, I am more of an "on spec" kind of girl, and like to use what I have around the house.

The genesis of the biscuits in this post was an "on spec" baking session.  I looked at what I had around the house, then picked up my reliable Margaret Fulton Cookbook and had a flick through.  The biscuits that I settled on are called Date Surprises.  They are easy, quick, and don't use many ingredients.  Best of all, if you like dates (like me!), they are super scrumptious, as they comprise whole dates  wrapped in biscuit dough.

To make your own date surprises, you will need:

150g butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
2 cups plain flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
375g pitted dates

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius.  Beat the butter in a stand mixer until light and creamy, then gradually add the brown sugar and beat until well combined.  Add the egg and vanilla and beat well. 

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt and bicarbonate of soda.  Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, and mix in using a wooden spoon or the mixer turned on low speed until just combined.

Break off small pieces of dough and mould around each date in a cocoon shape, and place on baking trays lined with baking paper or a silicone mat.  Place into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden.  Remove the cooked biscuits from the oven and allow to cool on their trays.

Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.