Filled Crescents

This cookie is also called a "Calzone". Most people think that Calzone are only a large crescent shaped "pie" filled with savory ingredients, such as sausage and peppers or other combinations of savory/spicy foods. But that is far from the truth. Calzones are also sweet filled cookies made with a sweet dough and filled with several combinations of sweet and tart fillings. Some are fried and others are baked. But all are fantastic and addictive. Today's recipe is a basic dried fruit filling that is always popular.

For the Crust
1/2 pound of unsalted butter, that is softened
1 cup of whole milk cottage cheese
2 cups of unbleached all purpose flour
1/8 tsp salt

For the Filling
1/2 cup of raisins, golden or regular
1 cup of light brown sugar
1 cup of walnuts
1/2 cup of chopped dates
1/2 cup of heavy cream

Use a large mixing bowl and blend the butter and cottage cheese with a large whisk until well combined.

Using a rubber spatula gradually mix in the flour and the salt. Turn the dough out onto a very lightly floured board and knead until a soft dough is formed.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours or no longer then overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Remove the dough from the refrigerator after it has been chilled.

Combine all the filling ingredients in a heavy bottomed 3 quart saucepan and set over medium heat.
Stir the mixture constantly until thickened. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and allow to cool.

On a lightly floured board roll out the cookie dough
until about 1/8 inch thick. Use a 3 inch round cookie cutter cut the dough until you get about 40 dough rounds. You will have to re-roll the dough scrapes and
re-cut the dough until it is all used up.

Using a small spoon place a teaspoon full of filling in the center of the dough rounds. Using your finger or a brush, brush the edge of the dough with a little water.
Fold the dough over to form a half moon shape. Seal the edges by pressing the tines of a fork into the dough. Place the cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until slightly browned.
When done place the cookies on a cooling rack and cool completely. When cooled dust with confectioners sugar.