Desserts
ChefAlisar Rajab
Date Fingers
Sesame-topped date fingers — a classic, crisp homemade pastry. This recipe gives detailed, reliable steps so you can enjoy them with coffee.
Homemade sesame-topped date fingers
Ingredients
Start here, then move straight into the method.
- Dough
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup oil (or 1/4 cup oil + 1/4 cup softened butter for extra flavor)
- 3/4 cup warm water
- Filling
- Pitted dates, ground, mixed with 1 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon cinnamon — knead until smooth and shape into long finger-like rolls
- Egg wash
- 1 beaten egg mixed with a little milk and a splash of orange blossom water (for shine and aroma)
- Sesame seeds for sprinkling
Method
Follow the cooking sequence without leaving the page.
- Mix the dry ingredients, then add the butter and rub well, then add the oil and rub.
- Finally add the water gradually until you have a cohesive, smooth dough that does not stick to the hands.
- Let the date-finger dough proof for about one hour.
- Meanwhile prepare the filling: knead the ingredients well and shape them into long finger shapes.
- When the dough is ready, roll it out into a thin rectangular sheet; place a date finger at the edge and roll the dough around it to enclose it.
- Cut the filled dough into fingers of the desired size.
- Arrange the date fingers on a baking tray, then brush the tops with an egg wash for shine; orange blossom water gives a sweet aroma.
- Sprinkle sesame over the date fingers and bake the tray in a hot oven at 180°C until the bottoms turn golden.
- Turn the oven to top heat to brown the tops.
- Allow the date fingers to cool, then serve them.
- When rolling the dough, it is better to make it thin because it will puff in the oven; if it is thick it will lose the delightful crispness.
Recipe tags
DessertsInternationalVegetarianDairy freeGluten freeNut free
Notes and serving ideas
- Easy Honeycomb Pastry (Khaliyat Al-Nahl)
