Here's the recipe my mom makes. She makes them every year and has for as long as I can remember. They are absolutely the best!
DATE PINWHEEL COOKIES
FILLING:
2 c. dates chopped fine
1/2c. sugar
1/2c. water
Cook over low heat until thick. Stir constantly.
Add 1 c finely chopped nuts and stir them in.
Set aside to cool.
DOUGH:
SPRY MIXTURE
1 c. spry shortening
1 1/2 t grated orange rind(optional we don't use)
1 1/2 t salt
2 c. packed brown sugar
2 unbeaten eggs
Combine and beat well --set aside
FLOUR MIX
3 1/3 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 t soda
Mix well.
Add half of the flour mix to the spry mix. Blend well.
Add 2 T milk to the mix and blend in.
Add other half of the flour to the mix and mix it all together well.
Divide the dough in half.
Roll out the first half into a rectangle.
Spread a thin layer of the date filling on the rectangle
Roll the dough lengthwise into a log shape
Repeat with the other half/
Wrap each half with a double layer of wax paper or foil and refrigerate over night.
Spray cookie sheet with Pam
Cut the dough into 1/4" slices and place on cookie sheet
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 min.
The original recipe calles for 375 degrees and bake for 15 min but I just baked them for 10 min or so the other night when I baked some. So you can decide which you would rather do.
I put my oven on 350 and then just checked them til they looked done.