Lebanon Travelers Date Cookies Mamoul

Experience the rich traditions of Middle Eastern baking with these Lebanon Travelers Date Cookies, known as Mamoul. These delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats are crafted with a buttery semolina dough and filled with a fragrant blend of sweet dates, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Enhanced with aromatic orange blossom and rose water, each cookie embodies a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle floral notes. Whether embossed with intricate patterns using a mamoul mold or shaped by hand, these golden cookies are a timeless symbol of hospitality. Ideal for holiday gatherings, afternoon tea, or as a grab-and-go snack for your travels, Mamoul offers a sophisticated yet comforting taste of Lebanon that’s easy to recreate in your kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:60 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 25

Ingredients

• 500 g Fine semolina
• 150 g All-purpose flour
• 250 g Unsalted butter, softened
• 50 g Powdered sugar
• 120 ml Milk
• 2 tbsp Orange blossom water
• 1 tbsp Rose water
• 300 g Ground dates
• 0.5 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 30 g Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the semolina, all-purpose flour, and powdered sugar.

Step 2

Rub the softened butter into the dry ingredients using your hands until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Step 3

Slowly add the milk, orange blossom water, and rose water to the mixture. Knead gently until a soft dough forms. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 1 hour.

Step 4

Meanwhile, prepare the filling by mixing the ground dates, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg in a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 5

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 6

Take a small piece of dough (about the size of a walnut) and flatten it in the palm of your hand. Place a small amount of the date filling (about 1 teaspoon) in the center.

Step 7

Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, sealing it, and form it into a ball or oval shape.

Step 8

If you have a mamoul mold, press the filled dough into the mold to create a decorative pattern, then gently tap it out. If you do not have a mold, use a fork to create simple patterns on the surface.

Step 9

Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Do not let the cookies brown too much.

Step 11

Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before dusting them with powdered sugar.

Step 12

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1450.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5355.0

Total Fat 213.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 130.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 556.9mg	0%
Sodium 95.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 790.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 44.5g	0%
Total Sugars 285.6g
Protein 90.6g	0%

Vitamin D 54.5IU	0%
Calcium 519.5mg	0%
Iron 16.1mg	0%
Potassium 3433.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.2%

Protein: 6.7%

Carbs: 58.1%