Hello everybody.

Sorry for the absence the last couple of days, too busy and no new recipes done but today after I finished an order of Egyptian  cookies and had some dates left extra so I thought I’d makes these  super easy cookie recipe for you , Iraqi date cookies which is known as Kleijja (كليجه)

I’m sure this is not the only recipe cause it’s a traditional dessert so each lady will add her touch to it, took this one from a beautiful auntie cause it’s very basic,light and easy to do.

 

Ingredients and method:

• 3 cups flour ( 3 كوب طحين)
• 1 cup vegetable oil ( كوب زيت نباتي)
•  tsp baking powder ( ملعقه صغيره باكينغ باودر)
• pinch of salt (رشه ملح)
• 3/4 or 1 cup water. ( كوب او اقل ماء)
• pitted dates.( I added a bit of cardamon and nutmeg)

• Mix flour , salt,baking powder very well ( some prefer to use a sieve so as mixing will be better).
• add oil and rub it with flour till crumbly.
• add water and knead well till you get a smooth easy to handle dough.
• add some oil to the dates for easier handling, original recipe requires heating dates with some oil till it softens but I skipped this step
• form same size  small balls of dough and dates then fill dough with date and close well.
• flatten cookies a bit then cut  a bit on sides with knife or scissors.
• heat the oven then lower it to medium and bake cookies for 15-20 minutes or till bottoms are golden.
• brush the surface with a bit of egg wash and roast till golden as well .

 

 

End result looked and tasted very good, test will be tomorrow from the experts at lunch !

 

 lovely box from recycled magazines.