Maamoul Lebanese Date Cookies Filled with Sweet Spiced Goodness
Maamoul are traditional Lebanese cookies filled with sweet date paste. They feature a crumbly semolina or flour dough pressed into beautiful molds. With warm spices and buttery richness, Maamoul deliver classic Middle Eastern flavor and festive charm.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 cups semolina
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon mahlab (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or orange blossom water
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
For the Date Filling
- 1 ½ cups pitted dates
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom or rose water
Instructions
- Mix semolina, flour, and powdered sugar in a bowl.
- Add melted butter. Combine until crumbly.
- Add milk, vanilla, and baking powder.
- Mix until soft dough forms.
- Rest the dough for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling by heating dates, butter, and spices.
- Mash into a smooth paste.
- Form small date balls.
- Take a small dough portion. Flatten into a round.
- Place date ball inside. Seal and shape.
- Press each cookie into a Maamoul mold if available.
Notes
- Semolina adds traditional texture to Maamoul.
- Do not overwork dough to keep cookies tender.
- Use orange blossom or rose water for authentic flavour.
- Store cookies in airtight containers to maintain freshness.
- Molds are optional—shape by hand if needed.