Ma Amoul

Delight your taste buds with Ma'amoul, a traditional Middle Eastern cookie that combines buttery semolina dough with a luscious spiced date filling. Perfectly balanced with the floral fragrances of orange blossom and rose water, these melt-in-your-mouth delights are a staple for festive occasions like Eid and Christmas but also make a luxurious treat any time of year. Each cookie is shaped with care, either pressed into intricate wooden molds or patterned with a fork, then baked to golden perfection and topped with a snowfall of powdered sugar. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or shared with loved ones, Ma'amoul is a timeless dessert that brings an irresistible touch of sweetness to any table.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:90 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:115 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 500 grams Semolina
• 250 grams Fine semolina (or farina)
• 250 grams Unsalted butter, melted
• 50 grams Sugar
• 120 milliliters Milk
• 2 tablespoons Orange blossom water
• 2 tablespoons Rose water
• 1 teaspoon Yeast
• 300 grams Dates, pitted and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon Butter, softened (for the filling)
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 50 grams Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the semolina, fine semolina, and sugar. Gradually pour in the melted butter, mixing with your hands until the mixture has the texture of damp sand.

Step 2

Dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy. Add this mixture, along with the orange blossom water and rose water, to the semolina mixture. Knead gently until a soft dough forms. Cover and let it rest for at least 1 hour.

Step 3

While the dough rests, prepare the filling. Combine the chopped dates, softened butter, and ground cinnamon in a bowl, mixing until the filling is smooth and well-integrated. Set aside.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 5

Divide the dough into small golf-ball-sized portions. Flatten each piece into a disc and place about 1 teaspoon of the date filling in the center. Wrap the dough around the filling, sealing it completely, and roll it into a smooth ball.

Step 6

Press the filled balls into a Ma'amoul mold (or use a fork to create decorative patterns). Tap the mold gently to release the cookie and place it on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 7

Repeat the process until all the dough and filling are used up.

Step 8

Bake the Ma'amoul in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are slightly golden around the edges. Avoid overbaking to maintain their delicate texture.

Step 9

Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust them generously with powdered sugar before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1604.1 grams (1604.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5910

Total Fat 226.20g	290%
Saturated Fat 138.60g	693%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 588mg	196%
Sodium 80mg	3%
Total Carbohydrate 881.80g	321%
Dietary Fiber 51.80g	185%
Total Sugars 307.70g
Protein 108.60g	217%

Vitamin D 64IU	318%
Calcium 558mg	43%
Iron 12mg	68%
Potassium 3782mg	80%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.9%

Protein: 7.2%

Carbs: 58.8%