Ka Ak Bi Ajwa Date Ring Cookies Palestinian Middle Eastern
Indulge in the timeless flavors of the Middle East with Ka'ak bi Ajwa, a traditional Palestinian date ring cookie that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. These cookies feature a buttery dough made with a blend of all-purpose flour and fine semolina, delicately scented with mahlab for a hint of nutty warmth. The star of the recipe is the luscious Ajwa date filling, infused with aromatic spices like cinnamon and cardamom, offering a sweet and spiced embrace in every bite. Hand-shaped into charming rings and sprinkled with sesame seeds, these cookies are baked to golden perfection, creating a crisp exterior that gives way to a tender, chewy center. Perfect for festive occasions or as a delightful treat with tea, this recipe captures the heart of Middle Eastern baking. Easy to make and perfect for sharing, these Palestinian date ring cookies will bring a touch of cultural tradition to your table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Fine semolina
- 1 cup Unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup Milk
- 0.25 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons Warm water
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground mahlab (optional)
- 2 cups Ajwa dates (pitted and mashed)
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground cardamom
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water and allow it to sit for 5-7 minutes until it foams.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, fine semolina, sugar, salt, and mahlab (if using). Mix well.
Add the melted butter to the dry ingredients and rub it in with your fingers to create a crumbly texture.
Gradually add milk and the activated yeast mixture to the flour mixture. Knead the dough until it is soft and pliable. Cover the dough and let it rest for 1 hour in a warm place.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling by combining the mashed Ajwa dates, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and vegetable oil in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth and pliable.
Once the dough has rested, take a small piece (roughly the size of a golf ball) and roll it into a rope about 6 inches long.
Flatten the rope slightly and place a thin strip of the date filling along its length. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to close it, creating a sealed rope.
Shape the filled rope into a ring, sealing the ends tightly. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Lightly press sesame seeds over the tops of the cookies for garnish.
Place the formed cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each one.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once preheated, bake the cookies for 18-20 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown.
Allow the cookies to cool completely on wire racks before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
205 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.8 g | 10% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 18 mg | 6% | |
| Sodium | 22 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.6 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.6 g | ||
| Protein | 3.3 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 31 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 157 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
