Ma'amoul

Ingredients

• •2 cups semolina or all-purpose flour
• •1/2 cup softened margarine or neutral oil
• •1/4 cup sugar
• •1/3 cup water or orange blossom water
• •1 tablespoon rosewater
• •1 cup date paste or chopped walnuts mixed with sugar
• •Powdered sugar, optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Mix the semolina or flour with the margarine or oil until the texture is sandy.

2. 2

   Add the sugar, water, and rosewater and knead into a soft dough.

3. 3

   Cover and let the dough rest for 20 to 30 minutes.

4. 4

   Form small balls of dough and flatten each one in your palm.

5. 5

   Place a spoonful of date paste or walnut filling inside and seal the dough around it.

6. 6

   Press into a ma'amoul mold or mark decoratively by hand.

7. 7

   Arrange on a baking sheet and bake until set and just barely golden.

8. 8

   Cool and dust lightly with powdered sugar if desired.