These cookies called Kaak asawer, or Kaak bil tamr (dates filled cookie). They are very popular to prepare during celebration of Eid, maamoul (short bread cookies filled with tamr, nuts ect.) and barazek (sesame cookie).
2 cups (330 g) of all purpose flour
1/2 cup of fine semolina
120 ml warm milk
1 teaspoon of instant dry yeast
1/4 cup of caster sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
1 teaspoon nigella seeds (habet barakeh)
1/2 cup of Olive oil
1/2 cup of Ghee
Ka'ak spice mix (to mix in blender)
1 tbsp. aneese seeds
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon cardamon pods( or cardamon powder)
1/2 teaspoon mahlyab
1/4 nutmeg
Date filling
Date paste 350 g ( if it is not available you can take a soft date, pitted and blend it till you have a taste like filling)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cardamon
1 tbsp. olive oil to help to work with date paste
1. Combine milk and instant yeast together and set aside
2. Meanwhile combine flour, semolina, baking powder, sugar and sesame seed, nigella seeds with olive oil and ghee.
3. Add the milk with yeast to the dough and mix gently for 2-3 minutes.
4. Let the dough rest for 1-2 hours.
5. Form small logs from the date paste, take around table spoon of the dough and form into logs, stuff with the date logs and gently close the edges. Roll for few seconds and close like a small bracelet shape.
6. Bake in a preheated oven, medium rank at 170 C - 350 F for 10-12 minutes.
Let the Ka'ak cool down and enjoy!
