Date and Walnut Ma’amoul Cookies with Orange Blossom
Traditional Middle Eastern shortbread-style cookies filled with a sweet date and walnut paste, delicately flavored with orange blossom water. This middle eastern-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers all-purpose flour, semolina flour, unsalted butter, softened into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 130 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup semolina flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
- 1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup semolina flour, and 1/4 tsp salt. Add 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup powdered sugar. Rub the butter into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 tbsp orange blossom water and 1/4 cup warm water. Knead gently until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the filling by combining 1 cup chopped pitted dates, 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg in a bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Step 4: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 5: Divide the dough into 16 equal portions. Flatten each portion into a 2-inch circle, place about 1 tbsp filling in the center, and fold the dough over to seal completely, shaping into an oval or round cookie.
- Step 6: Place the filled cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden on the edges but still pale on top.
- Step 7: Allow to cool completely before serving. Optionally, dust with additional powdered sugar.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Date and Walnut Ma’amoul Cookies with Orange Blossom take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (40 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Date and Walnut Ma’amoul Cookies with Orange Blossom?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Date and Walnut Ma’amoul Cookies with Orange Blossom?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Date and Walnut Ma’amoul Cookies with Orange Blossom for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Date and Walnut Ma’amoul Cookies with Orange Blossom?
Middle Eastern desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
