Mamool cookies are your going to be your new delicious go to for no sugar added naturally sweet cookies
Mamool cookies are such a classic! No matter where you go in the Middle East, people know and love this cookie! Why you might ask!? Because it’s super simple and super delicious. Using only farina, flour, ghee and dates, it’s like the purest and “healthiest” you can be for a “real” cookie…right;-)
Ghee, clarified butter, is actually pretty good for you when used in small amounts. Dates, are one of nature’s candies and are filled with amazing vitamins, minerals and fiber….also good! Farina and flour, I mean, whatever, you cant win them all!
But, I definitely urge you to try them. They require some getting used to while actually trying to fill them and mold them. Stick with it! After a few tries, you’ll be a pro! Plus, they look really impressive and are quite addictive!
There are lots of different molds available online. I included the link in the recipe below. There are also different fillings that are typically used like walnuts or pistachios, mixed with sugar. So feel free to experiment with different fillings and molds and let us know how it goes!
These naturally sweet, date filled cookies are as delicious as they are fun to make!
- 2 cups Farina
- 1 cup Flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar optional
- 1 cup ghee
- ½ cup water or milk as needed
- ½ teaspoon mahlab spice optional
- 1 13 oz package date paste
- 1 tbsp ghee
In a large bowl, mix together farina, flour, sugar (if using) and ghee until fully combined. Keep kneading for about 7-10 min. You want it to be very well incorporated. Gradually add the water or milk in small amounts as kneading. Then cover and let rest for 30 min.
- Date paste should be soft and easy to mold with your hands (you can warm it up in the microwave if needed).
Add tablespoon of ghee to date paste and mix until it’s fully incorporated. Take chunks of date paste and roll them into balls. This part can get a little tricky because you want the size of the balls to be in proportion with the size of the mold you’re using for the cookie. About a tablespoon sized ball is usually a good starting place and you can take away or add more if needed.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Begin with a piece of cookie dough about the size of a golf ball. Start to create a bowl shape by pressing out the edges so you make room to fill it with the dates. Then take the date balls and stuff them in the little space you molded in the cookie dough. Now enclose the date filling with the cookie dough you’re already working with, or add a little more dough to close the top so that you have a round cookie dough ball with a date ball in the middle. You will then take that and press it into a mamool cookie mold, tap it to loosen the cookie and voila!
- Place cookies on a parchment or foil covered cookie sheet and bake for 20 min. You want the cookies to still be light in color with just a slight touch of golden brown. Since ovens vary, it’s best to check on them a few minutes before and adjust accordingly.
After cookies are cool, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top or eat them just as they are!
These cookies can be made with or without adding powdered sugar. The dates sweeten it just fine, but if you love sweetness add the 1/2 cup. You can purchase Mahlab spice on Amazon. It's a very mild spice and isn't absolutely necessary, but gives it a nice flavor. You can purchase Mamool cookie molds on Amazon as well.
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