FESTIVE STUFFED DATES
	1 (8 oz.) box whole pitted Dole dates 1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese 1/4 c. powdered sugar 1 tbsp. grated orange peel Make slit in center of each date. Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and orange peel. Fill center of date with cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate. Dust with additional powdered sugar just before serving if desired. Makes about 27 stuffed dates.

We use this recipe also to fill dry moist prunes around Christmas time. Have never had it with orange zest before. Have had it as you mentioned though, just the cream cheese, confectioners sugar, vanilla essence and then rolled in coconut.

Hope you enjoy them.

Tom

Cream Cheese Coconut Cookies

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
• 1 (18.5-ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup coconut (Optional)
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar (Optional) 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter. Stir in the egg and extract.
2. Add cake mix, and stir until well blended.
3. Roll into 1 inch balls and coat in the confectioners' sugar. Place 1 inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. ( I used parchment paper).
4. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven. After a few minutes remove from baking sheets to cool.

From http://oldfashionedrecipes.com

Variations: I substituted Duncan Hines® Strawberry Cake Mix for the yellow cake mix and they were wonderful! I also used a buttercream chocolate cake mix, and left out the extract, and again it turned out great. They are SO pretty on a platter with a doily. I made enough to take one platter to each side of the family and sent them to school and work!