I recently had the pleasure of trying Iraqi kleicha date cookies during a lunch outing with a co-worker at a Middle Eastern restaurant in Philadelphia. These cookies are a traditional dessert in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries and are typically enjoyed during holidays and special occasions.
The cookies contain a buttery dough with a sweet and sticky date paste filling. Then shape the dough into small rounds, crescents, or rectangles, and bake it until golden brown. The result is a deliciously fragrant and chewy cookie that is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.
Overall, the kleicha cookies were a delightful surprise and a perfect end to our meal. I highly recommend trying these cookies if you have the chance, whether you are a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine or simply looking to try something new and delicious.
As I sat down at the Middle Eastern restaurant, a friendly middle-aged waiter approached me with a plate of small, golden-brown cookies. He introduced them to me as kleicha, a traditional dessert from his homeland.
The cookies were small and circular, with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft, sweet center filled with dates. The combination of the crunchy exterior and the chewy filling made for a delightful texture that was both satisfying and comforting.
Overall, these cookies were a delightful treat that left me feeling satisfied and grateful for the opportunity to experience a small taste of another culture.
After enjoying the delicious cookies at that local restaurant, I couldn’t resist asking the chef for the recipe. To my surprise, he agreed to share it with me! Here’s what I learned:
The ingredients for the date cookies include flour, sugar, yeast, milk, butter, eggs, salt, cardamom, and of course, dates.
Overall, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn how to make these delicious cookies from a professional chef. I can’t wait to try making them at home!
When it comes to enjoying kleicha cookies, there are a few dishes that I love to pair with. Here are some of my favorite options:
- Tea: A warm cup of tea is the perfect complement to these sweet and spiced cookies. I particularly enjoy black tea or chai, but any tea you like will do.
- Black Coffee: If you’re a coffee lover, try pairing your kleicha with a cup of strong, dark coffee. The bitterness of the coffee will balance out the sweetness of the cookies.
- Yogurt: Another classic option is to pair kleicha with yogurt. The tanginess of the yogurt will contrast nicely with the sweetness of the cookies.
- Fruit: If you’re looking for a lighter option, try pairing your kleicha with fresh fruit. Apples, oranges, and grapes are all great choices.
No matter what you choose to pair with your kleicha, be sure to enjoy it with friends and family. Share and enjoy them together!
Ingredients:
Date Filling:
For the date filling, you will need:
- 500g of pitted dates
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom
Dough:
For the dough, you will need:
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup of warm milk
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom
How to Make Iraqi Kleicha Date Cookies?
Making kleicha is a fun and delicious activity that I love to do. Here are the steps to make these tasty treats:
Making the date paste filling:
- To make the date filling, start by placing the pitted dates in a food processor and pulsing until you chop them finely.
- Then, transfer the chopped dates to a saucepan and add the water, vegetable oil, and ground cardamom.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the water has been absorbed and the mixture has thickened.
- Once the date filling has cooled down, divide it into small balls, roughly the size of a walnut.
Making the cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1 cup of sugar.
- Add 2 eggs and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, mix together 4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of yeast.
- Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing well until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for several minutes until it achieves a smooth and elastic consistency.
- Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a walnut.
- Flatten each ball and add a small amount of date paste in the center.
- Fold the dough over the date paste and shape it into a crescent or ball.
- Place the kleicha on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool before serving.
These cookies are perfect for any occasion, from a simple snack to a special dessert. I hope you enjoy making and eating them as much as I do!
Variations of Kleicha
As I delved deeper into the world of Iraqi kleicha, I discovered that there are several variations of this delicious date cookie. Here are a few that I came across:
- Mamool: This is a type of kleicha that is filled with a mixture of dates, nuts, and spices. The dough is made using semolina flour, which gives it a crumbly texture. Mamool is usually shaped into small, round balls and decorated with intricate designs using a special wooden mold.
- Kleicha with sesame seeds: This variation of kleicha is made by adding sesame seeds to the dough. The seeds add a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture to the cookie. The filling usually contains dates, but some bakers also use other types of dried fruits, such as apricots or figs.
- Kleicha with walnut filling: Instead of using dates, this variation of kleicha contains a mixture of walnuts, sugar, and spices. The dough is made using all-purpose flour and flavored with rose water. The cookies are usually shaped into crescents and dusted with powdered sugar.
- Kleicha with cheese filling: This is a savory variation of kleicha and contains a mixture of cheese, herbs, and spices. The dough is made using all-purpose flour and flavored with nigella seeds. The cookies are usually shaped into small balls and baked until golden brown.
These are just a few examples of the many variations of Iraqi kleicha. Each region and family has its own unique recipe and method of preparation. No matter which variation you try, one thing is certain: kleicha is a delicious and beloved treat that generations of Iraqis have enjoyed it.
Storing and Serving Suggestions
For optimal storage of Iraqi kleicha date cookies, it is advisable to place them in a sealed container at room temperature. This will help to maintain their freshness and prevent them from becoming stale. Alternatively, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for up to a month.
When serving kleicha, I suggest pairing them with a cup of tea or coffee. The sweetness of the dates pairs well with the bitterness of the coffee or the mildness of the tea. You can also serve them as a dessert after a meal or as a snack in the afternoon.
To add a little extra flair to your serving, you can dust the cookies with powdered sugar or sprinkle them with sesame seeds. This will not only add a visual appeal but also a little extra flavor.
Lastly, if you want to give these cookies as a gift, consider packaging them in a decorative box or tin. This will make them not only delicious but also visually appealing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I must say that my experience with Iraqi kleicha date cookies was nothing short of delightful. The unique blend of flavors and textures in these cookies is truly something to savor. The nutty, buttery dough paired with the sweet, chewy date filling creates a perfect balance of flavors.
I was impressed by the variety of shapes and sizes that these cookies came in. From crescents to rounds, each shape had its own distinctive flavor and texture. The sesame seeds on top of some of the cookies added a nice crunch and nuttiness to the overall flavor.
One thing that stood out to me was the cultural significance of these cookies. It was fascinating to learn about the history and tradition behind them. I appreciated how these cookies were not just a tasty treat, but also a way to connect with Iraqi culture and heritage.
Overall, I highly recommend trying kleicha. They are a unique and delicious dessert that is sure to impress. Whether you are a fan of dates or just looking to try something new, these cookies are definitely worth a try.
