Lenten Ma’amoul

Ingredients

• 400 g (2½ cups) coarse semolina
• 100 g (¾ cup) flour
• 200 ml (¾ cup) oil
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp each rose water and orange blossom water
• 1 tsp mahlab (optional)
• 400 g (14 oz) date paste mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon

Method

1. Rub the oil into the semolina and flour and leave overnight.
2. Add the sugar, mahlab and flower waters and knead to a dough.
3. Wrap small balls of dough around date paste and press into a mould or shape by hand.
4. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 18 to 20 minutes until pale golden.

Tip. Usually made with butter for Pascha. This oil version keeps the fast.