Illustrative image
The finished dish may look different depending on the ingredients and preparation.
MediumDessertsvegetarianCC0 1.0 Universal
Traditional Levantine Ma'amoul (Carved Semolina Shortbread Filled with Spiced Date Paste)
The celebratory holiday cookies of the Levant: melt-in-mouth semolina and ghee shortbread stamped in carved wooden molds, stuffed with cardamom and cinnamon spiced Medjool date paste.
Prep
35 min
Cook
18 min
Total
53 min
Oven
190Ā°C (170Ā°C vent.)
Ingredients
servings
12
- Fine durum semolina (smid)350 g
- All-purpose wheat flour100 g
- Warm clarified butter (ghee)180 g
- Powdered sugar50 g
- Warm water mixed with 1 tbsp rosewater80 ml
- Soft pitted date paste300 g
- Ground cinnamon1 tsp
- Ground cardamomĀ½ tsp
- Pinch of saltĀ¼ tsp
Preparation Steps
1
Rub semolina and flour with warm ghee and powdered sugar; rest 4 hours or overnight. Knead in warm rosewater liquid briefly into a smooth, pliable dough.
240 min timer
2
Knead date paste with cinnamon, cardamom, and a tsp of ghee; roll into cherry-sized balls (15g each).
8 min timer
3
Form a 25g dough ball into a cup, insert date ball, and seal smoothly. Press into carved wooden mold; tap edge on counter to release. Bake at 190Ā°C for 15-18 mins until pale golden. Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar.
18 min timer
Cooking Journal
You havenāt tried this recipe yet
Nutrition Facts
per servingCalories
310
Protein
3.8g
Carbohydrates
48g
Fat
13g
Allergens
GlutenMilk
*estimated values per serving
Provenance & Public Domain Audit
Source: Middle Eastern & North African Culinary Heritage / USDA Public Domain Collection (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) & Levantine Gastronomic Archive)
Legal status: Public Domain (17 U.S.C. Ā§ 105) ā¢ 17 U.S.C. Ā§ 105
License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal
