Maamoul – date-filled cookies

Ingredients

• 250 g fine semolina
• 150 g plain flour
• 180 g melted butter
• 50 g icing sugar
• 1 dl milk
• 1 tsp rosewater
• 250 g pitted dates
• 20 g butter for filling
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• icing sugar for dusting, optional

Method

1. 1Mix semolina, flour, butter and icing sugar into a crumbly mixture. Cover and rest for one hour.
2. 2Blend dates with 20 g butter and cinnamon into a firm paste. Roll into 20 small balls.
3. 3Stir milk and rosewater into the dough. Knead briefly until shapeable; add one extra tablespoon of milk if needed.
4. 4Divide dough into 20 pieces, flatten, enclose a date ball in each and seal. Shape in a maamoul mould or pattern with a fork.
5. 5Bake at 180 °C for 15–20 minutes until lightly golden underneath. Cool and dust with icing sugar if desired.