Maamoul (Date-Filled Cookies) Recipe
Maamoul(Arabic: معمول)are Middle Eastern shortbread cookies usually stuffed with dates,pistachios, walnuts, or, occasionally, figs.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 cups fine semolina
- 1 cup coarse semolina
- 1 cup melted ghee (clarified butter)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water or milk
- 1 tsp rose water
- 1 tsp orange blossom water
- 1/2 tsp mahleb (optional)
Date Filling:
- 2 cups dates pitted (Medjool recommended)
- 2 tbsp ghee or butter
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg or cardamom (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Dough: Mix semolinas and ghee. Rest 4+ hours.
- Add Liquids: Mix sugars, waters, and milk to form dough.
- Prepare Filling: Sauté ghee dates. Mixture spices and mash into paste.
- Assemble: Roll out dough, spread paste, shape or mold.
- Bake: 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes until bottoms are golden brown.
- Cool & Dust: Let cool completely; dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
Notes
Date Filling:
- 2 cups dates pitted (Medjool recommended)
- 2 tbsp ghee or butter
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg or cardamom (optional)