5.0 from 6 votes
Maamoul (Date Stuffed Semolina Cookies)
Maamoul is a buttery, shortbread-like stuffed cookie made with spiced semolina flour and a sweet date and orange water filling.
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 36
Calories: 155 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups semolina flour
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter softened (or ghee)
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp ground mahleb (optional)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar for dusting
Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water or rose water
Filling
- 3/4 lb Medjool dates
- 1 tbsp butter melted (or ghee)
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water or rose water
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Stir the sugar, water and orange water in a small saucepan over medium heat until you get a rolling boil. Boil 1 minute and turn off heat. Set aside to cool 5 minutes.
- Pulse the dates in a food processor (or chop by hand) until a paste starts to form. Add the butter, orange water and sesame seeds. Pulse several times until mixed. Set aside in small bowl.
- Put the semolina and flour in a large bowl and work the butter in with your fingers. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and mahleb, pour in the cooled syrup and work the dough until it is soft, pliable and easy to shape. Put the dough in freezer for 15 minutes to firm up (it's easier to mold).
- Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- Scoop a walnut shaped lump of dough and roll it into a ball. Using your thumb, make a dent in the center of each and fill with a teaspoon of the filling. Gently press dough up and around filling to seal, roll into a ball. Press into a maamoul mold (or flatten slightly into disc and make decorative crosshatch marks with fork on top). Turn mold over and gently tap on counter surface to dislodge from mold. Arrange on lined baking sheet an inch apart and repeat with remaining dough and filling.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a light golden color. Remove from oven and cool. Dust with powdered sugar. Store in airtight container or tin.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
155kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
25g
(8%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
6g
(9%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
14mg
(5%)
Sodium
48mg
(2%)
Potassium
112mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
15g
(30%)
Vitamin A
186IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
15mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 36Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 155
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 155kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 14mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 48mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 112mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Vitamin A | 186IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 15mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.