Mamool date cookies

Mamool date cookies are a traditional Middle Eastern cookie that are always made in abundance around the holidays.  Special moulds are used to create beautiful patterns on top of each cookie.

The different spellings of maamoul cookie

• mamool
• maamool
• maamoul
• ma’moul

Doesn’t matter how you spell it, it’s all the same delicious cookie.

Are there different types of maamoul cookie?

Yes, there is a version made with just semolina, some with a blend of semolina and flour, and some with just flour (like this recipe).  There are also traditionally three different traditional fillings;

1. walnut
2. pistachio
3. date

How can you tell the difference between the different fillings?

Depending on the shape of the cookie is how you will know what is inside the cookie.  The walnut filled cookie is traditionally a dome shaped cookie, while the pistachio is more of an elongated football shaped cookie and the date cookie is the traditional round one.

This recipe is the one my mom uses however it is not the one my grandmother uses.  This recipe calls for condensed milk which is not traditional.  My aunt got hold of this recipe that travelled around from one person to the next until my mom discovered it and asked my aunt for the recipe right away.

The dough is so easy to make and doesn’t need to sit overnight like most of the semolina versions.  The date filling is so naturally sweet and delicious with just a little touch of cinnamon which is optional.

I can’t get my hold on a mold, what do I do?

There are ways to create a pattern even if you cannot use a mold. This particular cookie is made using this mold from Amazon. 

The traditional mold for these cookies is a wooden shaped mold with a pattern in the insert.  If you still cannot get a hold of the mold then I would roll the date filling into a ball, roll the dough into another ball, insert the date ball into the cookie ball and cover the date filling with the cookie filling.  Then take a fork and press down to create an indentation along the edges.

If you enjoyed this cookie you will also enjoy

• these tahini shortbread cookies
• these sprinkle almond cookies
• these shortbread cookies
• or these almond stained glass cookies 

5 from 1 vote

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Moms Mamool date cookies

There is a new hack in this recipe that basically makes it fool proof and extremely delicious. This traditional cookie is a shortbread type cookie filled with warm and fragrent date filling. It's extremely delicious and looks beautiful.

Course: Dessert, mamool cookie, middle eastern dessert, ramadan cookie, ramadan dessert

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Keyword: almond cookies, date cookie, dessert, medjool dates

Author: Nadia Hubbi

Ingredients

Shortbread portion

• 5 cups flour 800g
• Room temperature butter 2 cups 400g
• 3/4 vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 can condensed milk 14 oz 396 g 3/4 cup
• 1/2 cup of water possibly
• Mix together
• Let it rest for 15 minutes

Date filling

• 1 package of baking pressed dates 16oz or 1 lb dates mixed in food processor
• 1 stick butter melted
• 2 Tbls oil
• Optional 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Mix all flour, butter, vegetable oil, baking powder, condensed milk together
2. Add water if needed 1 tablespoon at a time
3. Let it rest for 15 minutes while you prepare the filling
4. Mix the dates, butter, oil and cinnamon by hand until they are all mixed together well
5. Using a mold first press the cookie dough into the mold then add a small ball shape of the date filling.
6. Press using the mold
7. Bake in the oven at 350 for 12 minutes