Date-Stuffed Sesame Seed Ma'amoul

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Semolina flour
• 1 cup Unsalted butter, cold, cubed
• 1/4 cup Powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons Milk powder
• 2 tablespoons Rose water
• 1 tablespoon Orange blossom water
• 1/2 teaspoon Dried yeast
• 2 tablespoons Warm water
• 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
• 1/4 cup Sesame seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon Cardamom powder
• 1 tablespoon Ghee or unsalted butter

Instructions

1. 1In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, semolina flour, powdered sugar, milk powder, and yeast.
2. 2Rub in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. 3In a separate small bowl, mix warm water with the yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
4. 4Add the yeast mixture, rose water, and orange blossom water to the flour mixture. Knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
5. 5Meanwhile, prepare the date filling. In a food processor, blend the pitted Medjool dates, sesame seeds, cardamom powder and ghee until you have a smooth paste.
6. 6Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. 7Take a small portion of the dough and flatten it into a circle. Place a small amount of date paste in the center and enclose it with the dough, forming a small ball or traditional ma'amoul shape. Press into a ma'amoul mold if desired.
8. 8Place the ma'amoul cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. 9Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
10. 10Let the cookies cool completely before serving.

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