Date and Walnut Ma'amoul Cookies

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-08 · Updated 2026-08-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Traditional Middle Eastern shortbread cookies filled with a spiced date and walnut mixture, perfect for festive occasions. This Middle Eastern-inspired recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, layers semolina flour, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar 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 180 calories and feeds 12, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 12 Middle Eastern cuisine 180 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 cups semolina flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon ground mahlab (optional)
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon rose water or orange blossom water
as needed powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups semolina flour, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon ground mahlab if using. Pour in 1 cup melted unsalted butter and 1/4 cup milk. Mix with your hands until a soft dough forms. Cover and rest for 1 hour.
Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the filling by mixing 1 cup chopped pitted dates, 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon rose water or orange blossom water in a small bowl. Stir until well combined.
Step 3: Preheat oven to 350°F. Take a golf-ball-sized piece of dough and flatten it into a disc about 3 inches in diameter. Place 1 tablespoon of the date and walnut filling in the center.
Step 4: Fold the dough over the filling to enclose it completely, then gently shape it into a round or oval shape. If you have a ma'amoul mold, press the filled dough into the mold to create decorative patterns.
Step 5: Place the shaped cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but not brown.
Step 6: Remove from oven and let cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.