Tahini and Date Cookies

These dense cookies are somewhat a cross between shortbread and naan khatai, with a wonderful sesame flavour and are not too sweet on their own so the date filling complements them perfectly. 

Ingredients
¼ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
¼ cup tahini
1 cup plain flour
¼ cup caster sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
2 tbls sesame seeds (optional)
½ cup chopped dates
½ cup water

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180F (350C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the butter, tahini, and sugar, and beat well until well combined.
3. Add the flour and mix with a spatual or large metal spoon. 
4. As the dough starts to clump, add the milk, a tablespoon at a time, and keep mixing until you have a stiff dough.
5. Take 1 tablespoon portions of the dough, shape into round balls and roll in the sesame seeds, if you’re using them.
6. Place each cookie dough ball on a greased baking tray, place your thumb on it and press down gently to create a hollow centre. (The dough may crack around the edges; that’s fine.)
7. If you do not want to use the date filling, flatten the cookie dough balls with the back of a fork and bake as instructed.
8. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly browned.
9. Place the cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Meanwhile, to make the date filling: Add the dates and water to a small saucepan and cook on medium-low heat. 
11. Mash the dates with a fork while they cook and keep stirring the mixture so that it doesn't burn. When most of the water has evaporated and you have a jam-like consistency, remove the mixture from the stove and allow to cool.
12. When the cookies and date filling have cooled, fill the hollow centres of each cookies with the date filling.
13. Decorate with nuts or more sesame seeds to serve.