Tart shells: Sift together flour and 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar in a bowl.
Cut in 1 cup butter; knead until well blended. Form dough into 3/4 inch balls. Press evenly into 1 1/2 inch tart cups on the bottom and up the sides to form a shell.
Bake in preheated oven until pale gold, about 16 minutes.
Let shells cool in the pan. Gently loosen and remove them from pan using a knife.
Combine dates, water, brown sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; boil gently for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Mash dates with a fork as they cook.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Allow mixture to cool before spooning into tart shells.
Icing: Cream 1/4 cup butter in a small bowl with an electric mixer. Gradually add 1 cup of the sugar while continuing to mix.
Add the milk, remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar, and maple extract. Beat at high speed until smooth. Icing should be thick enough to pipe. Spoon mixture into pastry bag with a small round or star-shaped tip. Pipe a swirl of icing on each tart.
