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Maamoul (Arabian Date Filled Cookies)

Yields45 ServingsPrep Time1 hr 30 minsCook Time15 minsTotal Time1 hr 47 mins

Maamoul is a delicious traditional Middle Eastern cookie that is typically made on religious holidays such as Eid, Easter or Christmas. Ma'amoul are usually made a few days before the holiday then stored to be served with Arabic coffee and chocolate to guests who come during the holiday.

For the dough
 3 ¼ cups extra-fine durum wheat flour (or semolina)
 2 ¼ cups flour
 1 cup softened butter
 ¾ cup icing sugar + some for dusting
 1 ½ tsp baking powder
 ¼ cup milk
 ¼ cup orange blossom water , rose water or a mixture of both
For the filling
 8 oz date paste
 3 tbsp toasted walnuts
 3 tbsp toasted pistachios
 3 tbsp toasted almonds
Filling
1

Mix all ingredients together or separate all the dried fruits and mix each of them with date paste.

Dough
2

In a large container, place the extra fine semolina, the flour, icing sugar, softened butter, baking powder. Mix well until reaching a dough that feels like sand.

3

Add the milk and then the required amount of orange blossom water and/or rose water. Form a ball of dough. It should be smooth, not sticky.

4

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let stand for 1 hour at room temperature.

5

Form balls of about ½ oz.

6

Stuff each ball of dough with the date and nuts. Roll the ball so the filling is fully coated with dough.

7

Shape the balls using a maamoul mold. Put the dough inside the maamoul mold and pack well, turn the mold over and give a quick tap to unmold.

8

Place the maamouls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cook in a preheated oven at 350 F for 15-20 minutes. Pastries must remain very white.

9

As you take them out of the oven, sprinkle with icing sugar.

10

Maamouls can be kept for eight days in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 45