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Three maamoul cookies dusted with powdered sugar and topped with chopped pistachios.

Maamoul - Date and Pistachio-Filled Butter Cookies

These fragrant buttery cookies are a holiday favorite in the Arab World especially during Easter and Eid al Fitr.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 1 hour
Course cookies, Dessert
Cuisine Lebonese
Servings 24
Calories 175 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • ma'amoul mold
US Customary - Metric

Ingredients
 
 

Dough

  • 1 1/2 C. + 2 tbsp. semolina
  • 1 C. + 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 C. butter softened
  • 1/4 C. + 2 T. powdered sugar
  • 3/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 C. milk whole
  • 2 tbsp. rose water

Fillings

    Date

    Pistachio

    • 1/2 C. pistachios coarsely ground in food processor or chopped by hand
    • 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
    • 1/2 tbsp. water

    Instructions
     

    Pistachio Filling

    • In a medium bowl combine the pistachios, sugar, and water. Mix into a paste.

    Dough

    • In a large bowl, add semolina, all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, and butter. Work the butter into the dry ingredients until incorporated and sandy in texture.
    • Add milk and rose water. Mix to form a dough. If the mixture is too dry, add 1 tsp. of milk at a time until a dough forms.
    • Wrap the dough and allow to rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
    • While the dough is resting prepare your fillings.
    • Preheat oven to 350˚F(180˚C)
    • Line the maamoul mold with a piece of plastic wrap. Pinch off a walnut-size piece of dough and firmly press it into the mold forming a cup.
    • Fill the cavity with your filling of choice. Top with a small flatten piece of dough. Press to seal. Pull up on the plastic wrap to release the cookie.
    • Place the shaped cookie onto a parchment lined baking pan and bake for 15-20 minutes. Do not overbake. The cookies should remain pale in color.
    • Allow the cookies to cool before dusting thoroughly with powdered sugar.

    Notes

    Where I purchased my ma'amoul mold. 
    Recipe inspiration from 196Flavors.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 175kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 53mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 148IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Arab, butter cookies, cookies, Eid al Fitr, Lebonese, ma'amoul, Ramadan
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!