Mamoul

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INGREDIENTS

Dough:

1 lb Ziyad Brand Fine Semolina
1 cup Ziyad Brand Ghee, at room temperature
1/2 tsp mastic pearls crushed with 1/2 tsp of sugar
1/2 tsp Ziyad Brand Ground Mahlab
1 tsp active dry (instant) yeast
1/3 – 1/2 cup warm water

Date Filling:

13 oz Ziyad Brand Date Paste
1 tsp Ziyad Brand Ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Ziyad Brand Ground Cardamom

Powdered sugar to garnish

Traditional mamoul cookies made for Eid, filled with dates and scented with gentle aromatics. A beloved treat for holidays and special gatherings.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the Dough

In a large bowl mix together semolina, ghee, mastic and Mahlab. Using your hands to combine all the ingredients until it’s well mixed and resembles wet crumbs. Cover with plastic wrap (so dough doesn’t dry out) and let it sit on the counter overnight or for a few hours.

Step 2: Make the Filling

Mix the date paste with cinnamon to combine.

Step 3: Assemble

To the dough, add water, instant yeast and knead the Dough with your hands for a few minutes until it holds its shape. You should be able to flatten the dough in your hand and it holds together and doesn’t crumble.

If it’s too dry, add a tablespoon of water one at a time until the dough comes together.

Divide the dough into equal size balls and set aside on a tray. Cover your dough with plastic wrap until ready to use.

Step 4: Date Filling

Oil your hands with a bit of ghee and shape the date paste into equal size balls about 1/2 the size of the dough balls. Set aside on a tray and cover with cling wrap until you are ready to use so the dates don’t dry out.

Step 5: Make the Cookies

Place a dough ball in the palm of your hands and flatten it slightly into a disc a bit larger than the date filling. Place a date ball in the middle and wrap the dough around it until you don’t see the date filling anymore. Roll between the palms of your hands creating a ball.

Step 6: Decorate the Cookies

Using a wooden cookie mold, add the cookie ball filled with dates into the cavity of the mold and press the ball into the wooden mold to print the shape. Flip and tap on a hard surface to release. If the mold starts to stick, sprinkle it with a very light dusting of flour and tap on a hard surface to get rid of excess flour.

Step 7: Bake

Preheat the oven to 350. Place the cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 15 minutes or so until they are pale and hold their shape. Let them cool completely before you store them.