Date Filled Ma'moul
Servings: 16 cookies
Ingredients
dough
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup butter (melted and hot)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup milk
filling
- ¾ cup dates (pitted and chopped)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
Instructions
MAKING THE DOUGH
- mix the liquid ingredients in a bowl and set aside
- add all the dry ingredients in a different bowl and stir well
- pour the hot butter into the flour and mix it, using a whisk until well combined (this might not look like dough to you at first since it can be flaky)
- add the milk and knead for at least 5 minutes
- cover the bowl and leave in a warm place for one hour
MAKING THE FILLING
- add all the ingredients in a saucepan and stir on medium heat (the dates will soften with time and will develop a sticky dough-like texture
- let the mixture cool completely
MAKING MA'MOUL
- preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F
- grease a baking pan with butter or use a baking sheet
- form around16 equal balls from the dough
- take a ball and flatten it slightly in your palm, place a ball of date in the centre and close the dough forming a sealed ball
- place the ball in a mould, press it gently until the surface is even
- slam the edge of the mould on a folded towel a few times to release the dough
- place the Ma'moul on your greased baking pan (or baking sheet)
- bake for 15 - 20 minutes
- let them cool and dust them with confectioners’ sugar if you wish (optional)
Notes
Usually you would use a traditional Ma'moul mould for making the cookies, but if you're like me and don't have one and can't / don't want to invest in one, you can simply use the back of a juicer top as a mold! I saw this trick (along with this awesome recipe, which I changed to my personal liking, here!