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Date Cookies (Maamoul)

Prep Time:

45 minutes plus overnight refrigeration

Cook Time:

17-20 Minutes

Serves:

24 cookies

Level:

Intermediate

About the Recipe

Maamoul cookies are a delicious treat from Arabic cuisine. They are made with semolina and flour and filled with delicious Mojo Magic Medjool date filling. A traditional treat to celebrate the holiday of Ramadan or any time.

Ingredients

For cookies dough preparation

  • 2 Cups (350g) semolina

  • 1 Cup (125g) all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 Tablespoon ground mahlab

  • dash of salt

  • 1 cup (250g) of ghee

For Cookies after refrigeration

  • 1 Tablespoon of dry milk

  • 1/4 Teaspoon active dry yeast

  • 3 Tablespoon simple syrup

  • 1/4 cup of warm milk

For Mojo Date filing

  • 1 cup (150g) Mojo Magic Medjool Dates

  • 1 Teaspoon of ghee

  • 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon, rose water, or orange blossom water

  • 1 Tablespoon roasted sesame seeds

Preparation

Prepare dough 1 to 3 days in advance

Step 1


Melt ghee using a stovetop or microwave. Stir regularly. Be careful not to overheat or boil the ghee. Use caution to avoid accidental spills or burning.



Step 2


Combined dry ingredients: semolina, flour, mahlab, and salt



Step 3


Stir while adding melted ghee



Step 4


Massage dough until well mixed. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for up to 3 days.


After refrigerating overnight

Step 1

Allow dough to become room temperature and soften dough if has become stiff



Step 2

Add dry milk and yeast to the dough mixture and mix thoroughly.



Step 3


Incrementally add simple syrup and milk until dough forms that can easily hold the shape of a round ball.



Step 4


Cover with a cloth and allow to rest for 1 hour


Mojo Magic Medjool date filing. Make while the dough rests


Step 1

Place Mojo Magic Medjool dates, cinnamon (or flavored syrup), ghee, and sesame seeds in a blender and pulse until combined and smooth.



Prepare for baking

Step 1

Heat oven to 350 degrees F



Step 2

Separate the dough into 24 pieces



Step 3


Use your thumb to make an indentation in the cookie where the Mojo Magic Medjool date filing will go.



Step 4


Pinch closed and roll into a ball with filling in the middle. Use a maamoul mold or flatten a bit and use a fork to create decorations on the top of the cookie.


Step 5

Place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.



Step 6

Bake on the middle rack for approximately 10 mins. Then move to the higher rack for approximately 7-10 minutes to allow for slight browning.


Step 7

Allow cooling on baking sheet for 5 mins then transfer to a cooling rack to completely cool.



Step 8

Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy.



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