Date Cookies (Maamoul B’tamer)

Ingredients

• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 3/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp ground mahlab, for flavour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp orange blossom water
• pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• pinch of salt
• 1 kg date paste
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 tsp orange blossom water
• (Mix together)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Method ---

2. 2

   In a deep bowl add flour, baking powder, powdered sugar, mahlab, pinch of nutmeg & salt and mix together

3. 3

   Add soft butter and mix well with your hands until you get a crumb like consistency

4. 4

   Add milk & 1/2 tsp orange blossom water and knead until you form a soft dough Cover and refrigerate for a few hours so that the butter can soak well in the dough Remove dough from fridge and let it rest for half an hour Knead to soften dough

5. 5

   Using a measuring spoon so they are all the same size, scoop 1 tbsp of dough and form smooth balls Repeat same process for the dates

6. 6

   Flaten dough with your hands, place date ball inside and close to cover the filling Place the dough in the mold and tap it on the counter so that it falls out Repeat with remaining dough and filling

7. 7

   (Preheat oven to 400 degrees)

8. 8

   Place the molded cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 7-8 minutes and then on broil until they are a golden brown colour

9. 9

   Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days