Iraqi Kleicha - Date and Nut Cookies – Vegan version

👨‍🍳 Method

To assemble

1. 1
   In a bowl, mix the flour, yeast, cardamom and sugar.

   Bowl
2. 2
   Add the butter and rub it in with your hands into a crumbly mixture.
3. 3
   Cover and let the dough rest 20 minutes.

   ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer

   💡Knead only until the dough comes together: long kneading toughens it, and the maamoul comes out hard instead of crumbly.
4. 4
   Cover and let the dough rest 20 minutes.
5. 5
   Mix the dates, nuts, cinnamon and cardamom by hand into a smooth paste.
6. 6
   Shape the dough into walnut-size balls, flatten each ball in your palm, place a teaspoon of filling in the center and seal well.

   ⚙ Preheating the OvenOven

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
7. 7
   Fill each round with a teaspoon of the filling, fold into a half-moon and press the edges firmly.

   ⚙ Rolling Out DoughRolling pinCookie cutter

   💡Roll from the center outward and give the dough a quarter turn between rolls: this keeps it even in thickness and stops it sticking to the counter. If it springs back, cover for 10–15 minutes and try again.
8. 8
   Fill each round with a teaspoon of the filling, fold into a half-moon and press the edges firmly.
9. 9
   Arrange the cookies on the baking sheet.

   Baking pan
10. 10
    Let cool completely, and only then dust with the powdered sugar.

    ⚙ BakingOvenBaking pan

    💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.
11. 11
    Let cool completely, and only then dust with the powdered sugar.

    💡Warm maamoul crumbles in your hands: touch it and dust with powdered sugar only once it is completely cold.