We always had them with date filling or mincemeat, sort of a hand pie or turnover. I think you could substitute chopped raisins with good results.
This is the recipe I grew up with!
[FONT="]
[/FONT][FONT="]Date Surprises from 1933 General Foods Cookbook titled All about Home Baking[/FONT]
[FONT="]3 cups sifted flour[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 t baking powder[/FONT]
[FONT="]½ t salt[/FONT]
[FONT="]2/3 cup butter or shortening[/FONT]
[FONT="]½ cup brown sugar[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 egg[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 t vanilla[/FONT]
[FONT="]1/3 cup milk[/FONT]
[FONT="]Sift dry ingredients together. Cream butter and sugar, add egg and vanilla. Then add flour to butter sugar, egg mixture gradually alternating with the milk. Chill dough. Roll 1/8 inch thick and cut with 2 ½ inch round cutter. Place a teaspoon of date mixture in center and top with another round of dough. Seal/crimp edges. Bake on an ungreased tin in a 400 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Date Filling[/FONT]
[FONT="]2 cups pitted and chopped dates[/FONT]
[FONT="]2/3 cup white sugar[/FONT]
[FONT="]2/3 cup boiling water[/FONT]
[FONT="]1 T lemon juice[/FONT]
[FONT="]1T butter[/FONT]
[FONT="]Cook water, dates and sugar together for 6 to 8 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from fire, add lemon juice and butter. Cool[/FONT]
[FONT="]NOTES:[/FONT]
[FONT="]You can substitute orange juice for the water along with some grated orange zest for a flavor boost.[/FONT]
[FONT="]This is the recipe we use for date pinwheels. Just roll dough and spread with date mixture roll up. Chill, slice and bake. [/FONT]