Stuffed Date-Orange Cookies

Over the holidays I took these to a cookie exchange - they're truly different, look impressive and have a sophisticated flavor. From the Food Network kitchens.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 20

Ingredients

• Filling

• 1⁄2 lb  soft dates, pitted
• 2  tablespoons water
• 1  pinch salt
• 1⁄4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon orange zest

• Dough

• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  tablespoon confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄2-2  cup confectioners' sugar, additional for dusting
• 1  pinch salt
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, plus
• 2  teaspoons unsalted butter
• 2  tablespoons canola oil
• 1⁄4 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. To make the filling: Puree the filling ingredients in a food processor until evenly combined, about 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Remove and set aside.
4. Clean the processor bowl.
5. Put the flour, baking powder, the 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar, and salt in the bowl of food processor and pulse 3 to 4 times to mix.
6. Add the butter, oil, and milk pulsing until the dough just comes together.
7. Take care not to overwork the dough; it will be slightly wet.
8. Remove dough from the processor, and roll into 20 equally sized balls.
9. In the palm of your hand, press and pat each ball of dough into a 2 3/4-inch round.
10. Place a rounded teaspoon of filling in the center of each round and draw the edges up and around the filling.
11. Pinch the dough together to make a sealed ball, and then carefully roll the cookie between your palms to make a smooth round ball.
12. Press gently to flatten the cookie slightly, then place them seamed side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
13. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
14. Gently prick the cookies with a fork or a wooden skewer in a decorative pattern taking care not to pierce the dough to the filling (I used the Pampered Chef "Hold 'n Slice" gadget which worked perfectly).
15. Bake the cookies until firm and slightly puffed, and the tops are pale but the bottoms are just beginning to turn slightly golden, about 25 to 30 minutes.
16. Dust generously with confectioners' sugar, cool and dust again.