Description
Traditional Middle Eastern butter cookies filled with dates and decorated with intricate patterns. Perfect for celebrations and special occasions.
Ingredients
3/4 cup ghee or clarified butter.
3 tablespoons granulated sugar.
1 large egg, room temperature.
2 teaspoons orange blossom water or vanilla extract.
1 1/4 cups semolina flour.
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour.
2 teaspoons mahleb (optional).
1–3 tablespoons milk, room temperature.
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar.
10 oz date paste or 20 pureed Medjool dates.
Instructions
1- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2- Beat butter until light. Add sugar, egg, and orange blossom water. Mix until pale and creamy.
3- Add flours and optional mahleb. Mix to crumbly dough. Adjust with milk or flour until pliable. Rest 15 minutes.
4- Form walnut-sized balls. Use mold or shape by hand, filling each with date paste and sealing completely.
5- Bake 15-17 minutes until pale golden. Cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.
Notes
1- Can be shaped by hand or with molds.
2- Watch carefully for cracking while baking.
3- Stores 2 weeks at room temp or 2 months frozen.
Tools You’ll Need:
– Stand mixer or hand mixer.
– Baking sheets.
– Maamoul molds (optional).