Maamoul is a beloved traditional cookie in the Middle East, especially in KSA. It is particularly popular during religious celebrations such as Eid and Easter. These delicately sweet pastries are known for their unique fillings of dates, nuts, and aromatic spices, encased in a tender, buttery dough. Maamoul isn’t just a cookie; it’s a symbol of hospitality and celebration in KSA. Here is how you can prepare Maamoul at home.
The Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
– 2 cups of fine semolina
– 1 cup of all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
– 1 cup of unsalted butter or ghee, at room temperature
– 1/4 teaspoon of mahlab (optional, a spice made from ground cherry pits)
– 1/2 teaspoon of ground mastic (optional)
– 1/4 cup of milk or rose water
– 1 teaspoon of baking powder
For Fillings:
– Date Filling: 1 cup of pitted dates, blended into a paste with a dash of cinnamon and cardamom.
– Nut Filling: 1 cup of finely chopped walnuts or pistachios, mixed with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and a hint of orange blossom water or rose water.
Instructions:
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Preparing the Dough:
Firstly, in a large mixing bowl, combine the semolina, flour, powdered sugar, and baking powder.
Secondly, add the butter or ghee, and work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Thirdly, gradually add the milk or rose water, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Then cover and let it rest for at least an hour.
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Preparing the Fillings:
– Fourtly, blend the dates with a bit of cinnamon and cardamom until smooth for the date filling.
– Fifthly, mix the chopped nuts with powdered sugar and a splash of orange blossom or rose water for the nut filling.
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Shaping the Maamoul:
– Sixthly, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
– Seventhly, divide the dough into small balls, each about the size of a walnut.
– Eighthly, make a hole in the center of each ball. Then, fill it with a teaspoon of either date or nut filling.
– Ninthly, seal the dough and shape it into a ball again. Then, gently press it into a traditional Maamoul mold or shape it using your hands.
– Tenthly, tap the mold on the counter to release the Maamoul, which should have a decorative pattern on top.
4. Baking the Maamoul:
– Eleventhly, place the shaped Maamoul on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
– Twelfthly, bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are just beginning to turn golden.
For the finishing Touches, allow the Maamoul to cool completely before dusting them with powdered sugar.
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