Kleeja Cookies with Date Filling

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup Semolina Flour
• 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
• 1/4 cup Melted Vegan Butter
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 1/2 cup Warm Water
• 1 pound Pitted Dates
• 1 teaspoon Cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon Saffron Threads
• 2 tablespoons Sesame Seeds

Instructions

1. 1In a food processor, combine the 1 pound of pitted dates with the 1 teaspoon of cardamom and 1/4 teaspoon of saffron threads. Blend until a smooth paste forms. Set this date filling aside.
2. 2In a large bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of semolina flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 2 tablespoons of sugar.
3. 3Pour the 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and 1/4 cup of melted vegan butter into the dry ingredients. Mix with your hands or a spoon until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
4. 4Gradually add the 1/2 cup of warm water to the crumb mixture, stirring until a smooth dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
5. 5Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. 6Take a small amount of the dough, about the size of a large grape, and flatten it into a circle in the palm of your hand. Place about 1 teaspoon of the date filling in the center of the dough circle. Carefully fold the dough up and around the filling to enclose it completely, pinching the edges to seal.
7. 7Gently press the sealed edges of each cookie with the tines of a fork to create a decorative pattern. Place the formed cookies onto the prepared baking sheet.
8. 8Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with the 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown and look firm to the touch.
9. 9Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

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