Maamoul Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups coarse semolina flour (340g)
• 1 cup fine semolina flour (160g)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar (30g)
• 1/2 tsp instant dry yeast
• 1/2 tsp ground mahleb (see recipe notes*)
• 1 cup ghee or clarified butter (210g , see recipe notes**)
• 2 tbsp rose water
• 2 tbsp orange blossom water
• 600 g date paste ((2 packed cups), 21 oz , see recipe notes***)
• 1 tsp rose water
• 1 tsp orange blossom water
• 1/2 tsp ground mahleb
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
• pinch nutmeg

Instructions

1. 1

   --- For the dough: ---

2. 2

   In a large bowl mix the coarse semolina and fine semolina, sugar, yeast, and ground mahleb.

3. 3

   Add the clarified butter and rub the mixture together with the palm of your hands until mixture is fully combined.

4. 4

   Cover in plastic wrap and let it sit on the kitchen counter overnight or at least 2 hours to allow the semolina to absorb the ghee.

5. 5

   After resting the dough, add the rose and orange blossom water, mix and cover with plastic wrap for another hour. Meanwhile, make the filling.

6. 6

   --- For the date filling: ---

7. 7

   Mix together all filling ingredients with your hands, kneading until fully combined, set aside.

8. 8

   --- To assemble: ---

9. 9

   Once dough and filling are ready, heat the oven to 350 F (180C). Grease a 9x13 pan with a little ghee.

10. 10

    If semolina dough is too crumbly add 1-2 tbsp of water and mix to combine. Divide the dough in half, and roll out each half to the size of the 9x13 pan. Transfer one layer of dough to the prepared pan and press into place.

11. 11

    Roll out the date filling into the same size, and place it on top of the dough in the pan

12. 12

    Roll out the second half of the dough, and place on top of the dates.

13. 13

    Using a sharp knife, cut diagonal slices 1.5inches apart, cutting all the way to the bottom of the pan. Cut the opposite side to make diamonds .

14. 14

    Bake 30 min or until top is light golden and edges are golden brown. Cool completely before removing from pan. Dust with confectioners sugar (icing sugar) before serving!