Ma'amoul (Eid Biscuits) (معمول (كعك العيد

Happy Eid el Adha!

Eid without ma'amoul is not complete. ٍSoft, chewy delicate biscuits from the Middle Eaat. Learn how to make them from scratch.....

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Ingredients (to make approximately 6 dozens)
Dough:
• ½ cup samneh (ghee)
• ½ cup butter
• 3 cups fine semolina
• 1 teaspoon mahlab
• 1 teaspoon gum mastic (mistka)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons orange blossom water
• Additional water if needed, to moisten the dough

Filling:
Note: each of the below amount of fillings make approximately 24 biscuits, so adjust the amounts according to your preferences)
• 2 cups soft dates + 3 tablespoons water
• 2 cups finely chopped pistachios + 1/2 cup sugar + 1 tablespoon honey + 1 tablespoon soft butter
• 2 cups finely chopped walnuts + 1/2 cup sugar + 1 tablespoon honey + 1 tablespoon soft butter

Topping:
• Powdered sugar


Directions:
• Add the semolina in a large bowl.
• Grind the mahlab, mistka, and sugar.
• Add them to the semolina.
• Melt the fat in the microwave or on the stove.
• Add the melted fat and mix well.
• Let sit over night.
• The next day, activate the yeast by adding it to the warm water and the sugar. Mix, and set aside until the yeast foams up.
• Then add it to the semolina mixture, and knead using your hands.
• Add the orange blossom water, and knead for 5 minutes.
• If you find the dough too dry, add small amounts of water, and keep kneading until the dough comes together to form and soft, firm ball. It should not disintegrate or crumble; it should hold its shape, like a play dough.
• Let it rest for half an hour.

Meanwhile prepare the fillings:
Dates: remove the pits, and work the dates with your hands to form a thick paste. Add small amount of water to soften it up. Form small balls, approximately 2 teaspoons, and set aside until ready to use.
Nuts: chop the nuts using a food processor. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the soft butter and the honey, and rub with your fingers to make sure the butter and honey penetrate the nuts thoroughly. Set aside until ready to use.

To form the biscuits:
• Take about 1 or 2 tablespoons of dough, and form a ball.
• Using your finger, make a pocket inside the ball, to be able to fill it.
• Fill it with the date ball or 2 teaspoons of nuts.
• Close the hole by pinching the dough together.
• Shape it into the desired shape or press it inside a mold.
• Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

To bake the biscuits:
• Pre-heat oven to 180 C or 350 F.
• Place the cookie sheet in the bottom rack, and bake for about 10-15 minutes, until the bottom become golden.
• Then place the cookie sheet in the top rack, and turn on the broiler, to allow the top of the biscuit to become golden.
• If you have an electric oven with top and bottom heat, then the above 2 steps are not necessary, and just bake until golden.
• Be careful, no not over bake until they become golden brown. Bake only until golden. If you over bake, they will turn out too hard.

To decorate: (optional)
• Dip the bottom of the biscuits in the powdered sugar.
• Place them on a serving plate and lightly sprinkle the top with the powder sugar.
• Store at room temperature for up to a week.
• They can also be placed in the freezer.
• And Enjoy!

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Music:

"Bright Wish" & "Jalandhar" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...