{"id":"recipe_a51dadb8ad","slug":"maamoul-traditional-date-filled-semolina-cookies","title":"Maamoul (Traditional Date-Filled Semolina Cookies)","description":"Delicately spiced, melt-in-your-mouth semolina cookies filled with sweet date paste, traditionally prepared for Middle Eastern holidays.","serves":24,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":110,"activeMinutes":50},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g fine semolina","name":"Semolina","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"cup","form":"fine","notes":"Farina","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"250g unsalted butter, melted","name":"Butter","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":8.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"melted","notes":"unsalted","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"50g granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 tbsp rose water","name":"Rose water","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 tbsp orange blossom water","name":"Orange Blossom Water","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tsp mahlab","name":"Mahlab","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"Middle Eastern aromatic spice","group":"Dough","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"60ml warm milk","name":"Milk","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"warm","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"400g date paste","name":"Date Paste","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":14.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"paste","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1/2 tsp ground cinnamon","name":"Cinnamon","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, mix the semolina, melted butter, sugar, and mahlab. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the semolina until it is well incorporated.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Mix the semolina, melted butter, sugar, and mahlab","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Cover the semolina mixture and let it rest for at least 1 hour (or overnight for better texture) to allow the semolina to absorb the fat.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Cover the semolina mixture and let it rest","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the rose water, orange blossom water, and warm milk to the rested mixture. Knead gently until a smooth, non-sticky dough forms.","group":"Finalize Dough","title":"Add the rose water, orange blossom water, and warm milk","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finalize Dough"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Prepare the filling by mixing the date paste and ground cinnamon until soft and pliable.","group":"Filling","title":"Prepare the filling","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Take a walnut-sized piece of dough and flatten it in your palm. Place a smaller ball of date filling in the center, wrap the dough around it, and roll it into a ball.","group":"Shaping","title":"Take a walnut-sized piece of dough and flatten it","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Press the ball into a maamoul mold to pattern it, then tap the mold on a hard surface to release the cookie. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.","group":"Shaping","title":"Press the ball into a maamoul mold","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 15-20 minutes until the bottoms are slightly golden but the tops remain pale.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in a preheated oven","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"Traditional maamoul is made using wooden molds. If you don't have one, you can shape them by hand and create patterns using a fork.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Levantine","Lebanese","Syrian"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["Maamoul wooden mold","Mixing bowl","Baking sheet","Parchment paper"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["milk","wheat","gluten"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":24,"unit":"cookie","note":"Yield depends on the size of the mold used"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The dough can be prepared a day in advance and kept at room temperature."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature.","reheatingNotes":"Serve at room temperature or warm slightly in the oven for 2 minutes."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_a51dadb8ad%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1340a646-3bf2-41df-9ebf-45653e35abd9","imageAlt":"Maamoul (Traditional Date-Filled Semolina Cookies) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["maamoul","cookies","dates","semolina","middle eastern","eid sweets","easter cookies"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Maamoul (Traditional Date-Filled Semolina Cookies)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:10:15.884Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:10:15.884Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_7118ab4802","slug":"lemon-mint-juice-limonana","title":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana)","description":"A quintessential Mediterranean and Middle Eastern refresher, this vibrant drink perfectly balances tart lemons, cooling fresh mint, and a touch of sweetness.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Middle Eastern","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7118ab4802%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=abf73a52-7932-4dea-82b6-3486a9e6b6ea","imageAlt":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana) — recipe cover","tags":["refreshing","mint","lemonade","cold-drink","summer","citrus"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_05b3803820","slug":"yogurt-with-honey","title":"Yogurt with Honey","description":"A creamy and nutritious Mediterranean staple featuring thick Greek yogurt drizzled with golden honey and topped with crunchy walnuts.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_05b3803820%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d3ada203-2be2-41f4-b9ee-23856051fabb","imageAlt":"Yogurt with Honey — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","high protein","quick","mediterranean diet","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":3},{"id":"recipe_df33fac33f","slug":"basbousa","title":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup","description":"A traditional Mediterranean semolina cake soaked in aromatic syrup, known for its moist, grainy texture and sweet floral notes.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":105,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_df33fac33f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4671c365-003f-4487-8802-e08193fc80e9","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup — recipe cover","tags":["semolina","cake","syrup","middle eastern","sweet","floral"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":11,"stepCount":7}]}