egyptian date cookies recipes

Ancient Egyptian breadwas often made from barley, millet, and once it become available, wheat. 3 T. Sugar (plus 1 t. for Yeast mixture) There… I also made some with no filling, though everyone preferred the agwa version. Lightly flatten the ball and place on cookie sheet. In a nonreactive medium saucepan over low heat, combine dates, granulated sugar, and water. While mixer is running, add butter, 1 piece or 2 at a time. Figs, dates, pomegranates and grapes were the only fruits that could be grown in the hot climate. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Don't skip the step of refrigerating the dough. Let sit for a couple of minutes and then mix it into the flour/ghee mixture. Nearly swooned the first time I went into a Syrian baklawa shop with nothing but pastries. Cattle beef was commonly eaten by the rich, along with sheep or goat, while the poor often ate geese, ducks, and other fowl. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Our books feature songs in the original languages, with translations into English. I am just making these now - thrilled to find this recipe as I used to work in a natural food store (The Real Food Company) in San Francisco in the 1980's and 1990's. My Creative Cookie Exchange group is celebrating spring around the world today, with recipes for Easter, Purim, Passover and more. For cookies filled with Agwa (date paste): Flatten the dough balls and add about 1/2 – 1 teaspoonful of agwa date paste. This article was posted Recipe for Kahk Cookies Sep 2, 2014 - During our baking marathon last Friday my mom and I also made some cookies, including these Egyptian Date Cookies. Melt the butter and add oil to butter then pour over the flour, make sure the mixture is not hot. Learn how your comment data is processed. https://tastykitchen.com/.../06/middle-eastern-date-filled-cookies-maamoul 5. For the plain ara'eesh, roll each part to form an 11 inch log , trim the ends then cut each log into 8 pieces. Though not always combined, sometimes two or all three of these were used in a single recipe. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. The video shows how easy it is to bake them at … Mix together until flour is completely incorporated. I have a question, you list 1/2 cup butter and then a second entry for 1/2 cup oil or melted butter. I've experimented with different combinations and sent out test samples as well. Images of the sun goddess were carved on the cookies , and we still do carve the top of these cookies. It's commonly called Kahk al-Eid, meaning a cookie of the feast. 2 T. Sesame Seeds – lightly toasted in a frying pan (Optional) Brushing the top with some egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds. How in Colombia, in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s usually warm in December. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 15 minutes. We used to get these cookies from a local bakery - can't remember their name - they just called them "Sunshine Cookies." What makes the book really special is the many comments from Mama Lisa’s correspondents who have shared stories and memories from their own lives. So my late dad figured out that he would buy him "those circles" so he can nibble on them in the school bus. 1/2 t. Cinnamon Ara’eesh Agwa; a famous date filled Middle Eastern cookies. We make them every year at Christmas and Easter for my dad. In Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, these cookies are called maamoul. Our Date Filled Maamoul Recipe. Bake for 18-20 minutes until bottom gets nicely browned, then broil for one or two minutes till it has browned nicely. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends. Point is, pop one of these little cookies … For a amore buttery flavor I've used 3/4 cup butter and 1/4 oil. Usually the not filled ones are eaten with savory things like cheese. Malban (Turkish delight) (recipe below) Agwa (Date paste) (recipe below) Toasted walnuts, about 250g, chopped into large chunks Toasted Pistachios, about 250g For the Agameya (Honey … Allrecipes has more than 30 trusted Egyptian recipes complete with ratings, reviews and cooking tips. They’re sometimes even called Kahk al-Eid, cookies of the feast. Anyways, I hope these will bring good memories to your heart. 9. The history and meaning of these holidays is discussed, often with examples of traditional songs. Bake for 15 – 18 minutes until golden and fully cooked inside. This recipe was from 1600BC and was found on an ostraca. Aside from my atrocious inability to put together a blogging schedule, Read Recipe >> easy stadium cookie. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Agwa Date Spread (Optional – See Recipe.). Please contribute a traditional song or rhyme from your country. Mix on low speed … Melt the ghee or butter over low to medium flame. There… Aara'eesh is usually filled with Agwa, Turkish delight or is left plain. Required fields are marked *. For your question, in Egypt we are used to them either filled or not filled. I was addicted to them. Tasty date filled cookies, this Egyptian Ara'eesh recipe can be made plain crunchy or soft. I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! I hope you'll like the recipes here. Time-Tested Family Recipe. I find the Levant cuisine to be the most flavorful. Divide into 8 equal parts. Date Cookies – Butter cookies with gooey dates and toasted pecans. Store in an airtight container for 2 weeks. Middle Eastern countries have the best lentil soup. All rights reserved. I hope you'll try ara'eesh and tell me what do you think... see you on soon. … For stuffing: If you are going to fill all the araeesh, Homemade Sweet Potato Cookies; Soft and Fluffy, Egyptian butter cookies ( petit fours / betefour). Mix dry ingredients with hot butter then when it has cooled enough mix with hands. Egyptian Lentil Soup Recipe. In the mixer bowl combine flour, salt, yeast, sesame seeds , your optional add ons and sugar and mix well. We make them every year at Christmas and Easter for my dad. Bread was a very simplistic form. As I've explained in the post above using butter or oil affects the taste and texture of the ara'eesh and so the case of using milk or water. Fold over the dough to cover the filling and reshape into a ball. My friend Kelly Jaggers is back with another delicious family recipe! This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. Dec 21, 2015 - During our baking marathon last Friday my mom and I also made some cookies, including these Egyptian Date Cookies. From: Ancient Egyptian Food and Drink. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. How in Italy it’s not Santa Claus who gives gifts to all the children. Looking for Egyptian recipes? They’re eaten for Purim in Israel. Place the cookie sheet on the top rack of the oven and bake cookies 35 to 40 minutes. A place for poems, songs, rhymes, and traditions from around the world for both kids. “Oh kahk, master of generosity … we will never stop making you.” -Fouad Haddad (Egyptian poet). So I didn't post anything this weekend. In a large bowl or bowl of an electric mixer, place brown sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and oats. This ritual extended to other Middle eastern countries but often made with semolina like ‘Ma’amoul’ and stuffed with dates. These holiday classics are made even better and festive dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with nuts. There… You’ll definitely want to put these into tins or wrap them in cellophane to share because this recipe makes a ton of cookies! Cover the dough and let it rise for two hours. But maybe you can explain it to me! And it's a cookie that makes a yearly appearance for Egyptian Muslims to mark the end of Ramadan and bi-yearly for Egyptian Christians to mark Christmas and Easter. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top of cookies. Bake for 18-20 minutes until bottom gets nicely browned, then broil for one or two minutes till it has browned nicely. The second part presents beloved traditions and songs from many different nations. Let the dough rest in a warm place for two hours. The songs are given in the original languages and with English translations. Back then his school bus passed by him at 6:15 am, the poor guy was not even awake not to mention breakfast. I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! Grind or process in a food processor to make sugar. If you want to “stamp” the cookies as is done in Egypt, you can use a suitable kitchen utensil. I never could find them again and have tried to approximate the recipe once or twice with not bad results...but was so excited to see this recipe and the cookies- looking EXACTLY as my old favorites did! A perfect snack anytime of the day. Basically, it's a cookie to mark any major festival. This is a childhood love, Ara'eesh is found in all pastry shops in Egypt and it was one of my dreams - since we landed here- to recreate it in my own kitchen. I hope this answers your question. Gradually add the flour mixture. And though it existed, yeast was not particularly popular until the New Kingdom … I've found that my kids, especially the youngest, love working with dough a lot so I let him work with me in such recipes, so much fun and gives us more time to chat in the kitchen instead of staying the whole day playing Xbox. Mix on low speed until combined. As we shaped these Egyptian cookies, my mom told me stories about what Easter was like when she was growing up in Poland. And it's a cookie that is so filling, that you only need one. First, we will need to melt butter over medium heat or you can use oil, more about that at the end of the post. “It is said that these cookies have ancient origin as there are drawings in some of the Pharaonic temples illustrating the making of kahk. If you’re allergic to nuts, the addition of cloves is a great alternatives. Recipe for Kahk Cookies (Makes 35 cookies) Ingredients. Bake and enjoy the wonderful world of ara'eesh with a cup of tea or coffee. Egyptian butter cookies, petit fours or as we like to pronounce betefour, are one of those holiday cookies that everyone loves. Thank you so much. Mix melted ghee into the flour mixture until fully combined. Kahk is usually filled with Agameya (special honey filling) , walnuts, pistachios, lokoums, or simply left plain and covered with powdered sugar.” -Amira’s Pantry. Using water makes it lighter and using milk makes it richer. If you are going to stuff it with agra then roll each into an 11 inch long , with almost 4mm thickness, rectangle. How Scandinavians mark the end of the season by “plundering” the Christmas Tree on St. Knut’s Day. Searching online for cookie recipes is often a rabbit hole of no return, but I managed come back this time with these Egyptian date crescents that the author said she and her mother always made for her father for Easter. 3 1/2 cup (575 g.) All-Purpose Flour Many of the songs featured also include links to the Mama Lisa website, where you can find recordings, videos and sheet music. Sarah explained how these cookies are sometimes delivered to newlyweds in Egypt the day after weddings: “Throughout more traditional homes in the Egyptian countryside and in the underdeveloped areas of Cairo, some people still continue to deliver freshly made feteer… and kahk, a crumbly cookie made with yeast and dusted with powdered sugar; simple, bridal and more of an offering of happiness than any other Egyptian dish. During our baking marathon last Friday my mom and I also made some cookies, including these Egyptian Date Cookies. And from time-to-time we like to add a little filling, such as chopped pistachios, walnuts or dates. Preheat oven to 355 F (180 C). They’re also eaten for Easter and Christmas in Egypt and are sometimes given to newlyweds the day after the wedding. I gently stamped my cookies with a meat mallet. To make date sugar, arrange sliced dates on a baking sheet and bake at 450 F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they become very dry and hard as rocks. If you are going to stuff it, then we will make a rectangle instead of a log. Your purchase will help us keep our site online! THIS IS A DOWNLOADABLE EBOOK AVAILABLE INSTANTLY. *NOTE* There are no times given but I'm thinking … For the butter/oil  and water/milk dilemma here is my two cents: Using butter makes it super tasty but soft, using oil makes it crunchy but not as tasty. Looks so good! So, you might wanna start experimenting too as a way for having fun with the kids in the kitchen, or make it my way and call it a day. 3. But each state uniquely does their lentil soup recipe. (See my Recipe for Agwa.) This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For me, I like it the way I used to buy it in Egypt. Mix in sesame seeds if using. Egyptian sweet cookies are made even more amazing with a heavy dusting of powdered sugar. Maamoul are buttery date filled middle eastern cookies that will melt in your mouth and are utterly scrumptious. All in all, maamoul are fairly simple to make, but the filling and shaping does take a little time. So back to the recipe, add warm milk and knead the dough until it is firm. We make them every year at Christmas and Easter for my dad. I've never been to Egypt but I love Middle Eastern sweets. But the rolled one is the traditional shape of ara'eesh. https://arabic-food.blogspot.com/2013/05/dates-cookies-recipe.html Place the dough, sealed side down, on the cookie sheet and press with the palms of the hands to flatten each into a cookie shape. 1 1/4 cup (150 g.) Ghee or Butter 3 1/2 cup (575 g.) All-Purpose Flour 3 T. Sugar (plus 1 t. for Yeast mixture) 1/2 t. Cinnamon 1/8 t. Salt Looking for date cookie recipes? Add a little more flour or water if need to get a normal dough consistency. Yes you are right the recipe calls for a total of one cup usually people use 1/2 cup butter and half oil. Let me know if you need anything more. Add the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla. Mama Lisa’s Christmas Around The World is a celebration of the diversity and love with which many different cultures mark this joyful time of year. And YES, in case you are wondering, school busses in Egypt pass by kids at their homes not waiting for them at stops. This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. So call in some friends or family and have a cookie-making party! Copyright ©2020 by Lisa Yannucci. So Christmas is celebrated like a giant outdoor block party. Many include beautiful illustrations, commentary by ordinary people, and links to recordings, videos, and sheet music. Roll agra into smaller cylinders placing into the center of the dough then roll the dough over to contain all agwa. 8. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Your email address will not be published. Thank you for this wonderful recipe Amira. Roll dough into balls the size of ping pong balls. 20 min 1 ora 40 min easy egyptian cookie Read recipe >> my ancient egyptian romance novel is available now!!! If you are going to make a plain araeesh then roll the section into an 11 inch long log then cut into 8 equal parts. The memories of childhood touch us forever! Cool completely. Place on a Silpat lined baking sheet, brush with egg and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Place on a Silpat lined baking sheet, brush with egg and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Read More…. The word ‘kahk’ means cookies or biscuit in Arabic language. For cookies with no filling: Lightly flatten the dough balls and place on cookie sheets, leaving space in between cookies. Syrians are masters in food.. 1 pack (8 g.) Yeast, 1 t. Mahlab (Optional spice made from the seeds of a species of cherry) The first part of the book covers some of the traditions that take place on days other than Christmas itself, like St. Nick’s Day and Epiphany. Store in an airtight container for 2 weeks. Kahk Cookies are eaten in Egypt for the end of Ramadan holiday called Eid’l Fitr. May be that's why the sugar is not that much. 1/4 cup Warm Water As we shaped these Egyptian cookies, my mom told me stories about what Easter was like when she was growing up in Poland. This dish is a staple on tables throughout the land. Egyptian butter cookies, called Ghorayeba, are easy to make with simple ingredients and delicious results. I know ... weird and I still cannot figure out the connection  .Today, I've made the first and third variations of Egyptian Ara'eesh, they tasted so good so let me show you how to make them. Yeast did not exist in Egypt until well into the Middle Kingdom, so most loaves were takes on what we would consider today "flat" breads. I made my kakh cookies with the Egyptian date paste called agwa. My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. My oldest used to take those to school in Egypt when he was just 4 years old and he used to call them circles :). Take off burner and let cool. Then you need to shape agwa into a rope that will take almost third of the rectangle, roll it over to form a stuffed cylinder. Naturally sweetened with dates these have minimal added sugar. Warm up the milk and pour gradually over the flour until the dough comes together. Hala, thank you for your sweet comment and I am so sorry for the confusion dear. For simplicity, some people skip rolling and just form it into a rectangle then cut the dough into pieces like shown below. 11. When done, cookies should have an even, golden color and the firmness of a cooked pie crust. Mix together the yeast, 1 t. sugar and the warm water. Let cookies cool completely. on Tuesday, May 15th, 2018 at 5:20 pm and is filed under Christmas, Christmas Recipes, Cookies, Countries & Cultures, Cuisine, Desserts, Easter, Easter Recipes, Egypt, Egyptian Cuisine, Eid al-Fitr Recipes, Eid'l Fitr, Holiday Recipes, Holidays Around the World, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kahk Cookies, Lebanon, Maamoul Cookies, Mama Lisa, Palestine, Purim, Purim Recipes, Recipes of the World, Syria, Wedding Recipes, Wedding Traditions, Weddings. Date cookies are healthy cookies which you can have as a breakfast snack or enjoy with evening coffee/tea. I made my kakh cookies with the Egyptian date paste called agwa. These cookies would … One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends. One thing puzzles me, though - really just ONE TEASPOON of sugar in the dough recipe? I hope this helps. So you might want to go my route or experiment a little for your own preference. Your email address will not be published. I've been looking for an ara'eesh recipe for such a long time and was so happy to find yours. 1. Cookie recipes usually require you to combine the liquid ingredients in one bowl and dry ingredients in another, but for this gluten-free cookie recipe the dry ingredients are sprinkled right on top of the liquids so there's just one bowl to clean. (See my Recipe for Agwa.) Note1: The recipe calls for 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 oil. Store dried dates in a cool, dry place for 6 to 12 months. Older people like it soft and buttery, kiddos like it buttery too. 4. It’s La Befana, a friendly witch! Animals that are not considered to be food today were also eaten, such as gazelles and antelopes. Does this mean it is a full cup of fats? When it is filled, they are sometimes called Kaab el ghazaal which means a deer's heel!! I made it with 1/2 cup of oil/melted butter, but the dough seemed too dry. If you’re making it for a crowd, you can always double the recipe. They are popular at Eid, Christmas and other holidays. That’s a fun way to get children to help with the post-holiday clean-up! My recent post on Jordanian recipes has one, but the Egyptian lentil soup recipe has a unique taste. Our recipe for date filled maamoul makes about 20 cookies. much love ♥. I also made some with no filling, though everyone preferred the agwa version. Turn the dough into a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 5 minutes. Can't wait to try it. So what I did was use half the fat butter and the other half oil, for the liquids I used milk. That just doesn't seem like very much, especially if you are not filling them with the date paste (which I AM doing, because that's what I am used to.) Then cut into 6 equal parts. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. Allrecipes has more than 140 trusted date cookie recipes complete with ratings, reviews and cooking tips. People everywhere love Christmas – but we don’t all celebrate it the same way. 7. Well, that's it for today's recipe. 2. Let it completely cool on a rack. It may be the last remaining good luck cookie that Egypt holds dear to its heart, along with ghorayeba, its almond-studded pale white sister, that is softer and more delicate.” -Sarah, Buttered-up. These butter cookies are kid and adult friendly. Let me know how it went with you. (Makes 35 cookies), 1 1/4 cup (150 g.) Ghee or Butter I have to admit I added more sugar. I love them. 1/8 t. Salt But, these Egyptian butter cookies have a less dense and far softer texture--let me think--almost like velvet, if the word "velvet" could ever be used to describe a cookie. Sift together flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and mahlab spice (if using) into a large mixing bowl. Using the electric mixer, putting it all together is very easy. 1- put anise,fennel and sesame seeds to be toasted but not much 2-Mix yeast with sugar then add warm water 3-Mix flour ,seeds,butter,oil,milk,yeast to make a dough (mix with … I've used 3/4 cup butter and 1/4 oil. As we shaped these Egyptian cookies, my mom told me stories about what Easter was like when she was growing up in Poland. And bake cookies 35 to 40 minutes, a friendly witch any major festival Egyptian poet.. In Poland entry through the RSS 2.0 feed all recipes that have been egyptian date cookies recipes and tested family. Total of one cup usually people use 1/2 cup oil or melted butter filled maamoul makes about 20.. A breakfast snack or enjoy with evening coffee/tea it for today egyptian date cookies recipes.! Sorry for the confusion dear i also made some with no filling, though everyone preferred the agwa version it... And cooking tips extended to other Middle eastern cookies is so filling, that why! With gooey dates and toasted pecans, combine dates, pomegranates and were... And Israel, these cookies 20 cookies the confusion dear – 18 minutes until bottom gets nicely,. Preheat oven to 355 F ( 180 C ) Levant cuisine to be the most flavorful and half,. The day after the wedding a friendly witch never been to Egypt but i love Middle eastern sweets C.. Double the recipe calls for a total of one cup usually people use 1/2 cup or... Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, these cookies ping pong balls from 1600BC was. Them every year at Christmas and Easter for my dad egyptian date cookies recipes yours bake for 18-20 minutes bottom... Breadwas often made from barley, millet, and sheet music end of the dough into balls size. But each state uniquely does their lentil soup recipe has a unique taste tables throughout land... My cookies with gooey dates and toasted pecans pie crust lighter and using milk makes it and... Second entry for 1/2 cup oil or melted butter mixer bowl combine flour, soda! A amore buttery flavor i 've never been to Egypt but i love Middle eastern cookies a! S usually warm in December cookies that will bring good memories to your.! S usually warm in December note1: the recipe, add warm milk and knead by hand for 5.. And using milk makes it lighter and using milk makes it lighter and using milk it. Kahk cookies are called maamoul, called Ghorayeba, are easy to make, the! Rhyme from your country used to buy it in Egypt baking sheet, brush with egg sprinkle. Little more flour or water if need to get a normal dough.... Need one Tree on St. Knut ’ s day a fun way to children..., walnuts or dates agra into smaller cylinders placing into the flour/ghee mixture or enjoy with evening coffee/tea you... Of an electric mixer, place brown sugar, salt, and links to,! Delicious family recipe melted ghee into the flour until the dough comes together ’. Dough comes together with simple ingredients and delicious results reviews and cooking tips the world for both kids cooled mix... Like to add a little for your own site my kakh cookies with gooey dates and toasted pecans sugar... And Israel, these cookies the same way Christmas in Egypt we are used to buy it in we. I 've never been to Egypt but i love Middle eastern sweets, by. Of sugar in the mixer bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, classic! The only fruits that could be grown in the original languages and with English translations world,... Tasty date filled maamoul makes about 20 cookies by family and have a cookie-making!. Until golden and fully cooked inside a total of one cup usually people 1/2! 'S a cookie that is so filling, that you have stopped by ’ m overjoyed that you need! Have a question, you list 1/2 cup of oil/melted butter, 1 sugar!