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Classic Lebanese Maamoul Date Walnut Cookies Easy Homemade Rose Dusting Recipe

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These classic Lebanese maamoul cookies are tender, buttery treats filled with luscious dates and crunchy walnuts, finished with a delicate rose powder dusting. Perfect for special occasions or a comforting homemade snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g)
  • 1 cup semolina flour (130g)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225g)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (60g)
  • 1/2 cup warm milk (120ml)
  • 1 tablespoon rose water
  • 1 teaspoon yeast
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups pitted and chopped dates (about 300g)
  • 1 cup finely chopped walnuts (120g), toasted lightly
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon orange blossom water (optional)
  • 1/4 cup dried rose petals, ground into a fine powder
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for rose dusting)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk (about 110°F/43°C), yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly and frothy.
  2. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and powdered sugar together until creamy and light (3-4 minutes). Add rose water and salt, mixing gently.
  3. Add flours and yeast mixture: Gradually mix in all-purpose flour and semolina, alternating with the activated yeast mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. Add a teaspoon of milk at a time if dough feels dry.
  4. Rest the dough: Cover bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 30-40 minutes.
  5. Make the filling: Combine chopped dates, toasted walnuts, cinnamon, and optional orange blossom water in a bowl. Mix until sticky enough to hold together. Add a teaspoon of water or orange juice if too dry.
  6. Shape the cookies: Pinch off golf-ball-sized dough, flatten in palm, place about a teaspoon of filling in center, fold dough over to enclose. Press filled dough into maamoul mold firmly, then tap onto baking sheet.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Bake cookies for 15-18 minutes until light golden color, not browned. Watch carefully to avoid overbaking.
  9. Cool cookies completely on wire rack. Mix powdered sugar and ground rose petals, then sift rose dusting over cookies before serving.

Notes

Keep hands lightly dusted with flour while shaping to prevent sticking. If dough gets too warm, refrigerate for 10 minutes. Add rose dusting only when cookies are completely cool to prevent melting. Yeast is important for lightness; do not skip. Dough can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated.

Nutrition

Keywords: maamoul, Lebanese cookies, date walnut cookies, rose dusting, Middle Eastern dessert, traditional maamoul, homemade cookies

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/classic-lebanese-maamoul-date-walnut-cookies-easy-homemade-rose-dusting-recipe/