Date and Walnut Ma’amoul Cookies with Orange Blossom

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-29 · Updated 2026-05-29

Traditional Middle Eastern shortbread-style cookies filled with a sweet date and walnut paste, delicately flavored with orange blossom water. This Middle Eastern-inspired recipe, 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

The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Step 4: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Step 7: Allow to cool completely before serving. Optionally, dust with additional powdered sugar.