Description
Maamoul is a traditional Lebanese shortbread cookie made with semolina and butter, filled with dates, walnuts, or pistachios, and shaped using decorative molds. These tender, lightly sweet cookies are a beloved symbol of celebration, commonly served during Eid, Easter, and special gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fine semolina
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter or ghee, melted
- 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
- 1/4 cup milk or water (as needed)
- 1 tablespoon rose water
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (optional)
Date filling:
- 1 cup date paste
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)
Walnut filling:
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon rose water or orange blossom water
Pistachio filling:
- 1 cup finely chopped pistachios
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon rose water or orange blossom water
For topping:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine semolina and flour. Add melted butter and rub with your fingers until the mixture is sandy and well coated.
- Cover and let the dough rest for several hours or overnight for best texture.
- Add rose water, orange blossom water, baking powder if using, and gradually add milk or water until a soft, pliable dough forms. Knead gently.
- Prepare your chosen filling by mixing all ingredients until well combined.
- Take a small piece of dough, flatten it, add a teaspoon of filling, and seal the dough around it to form a ball.
- Press the filled dough into a Maamoul mold and tap gently to release. Alternatively, shape by hand.
- Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly golden while the tops remain pale.
- Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Notes
Resting the dough is essential for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.Date-filled Maamoul is traditionally left without powdered sugar, while nut-filled versions are dusted.Use plant-based butter for a vegan variation.Maamoul molds help distinguish fillings by shape.Cookies taste even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
