Date-Filled Anise Cookies

Ingredients

• 2½ cups flour
• 3 cups sifted flour or fine semolina flour
• 1 cup melted butter
• ½ cup corn oil
• 1 cup superfine sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• a pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons anise seeds
• 1 tablespoon ground anise
• 1 teaspoon ka'ak spice mix
• 2 pieces mastic resin
• ¾ cup warm water for kneading
• For topping: sesame seeds
• Filling:
• ½ kilo soft pitted dates
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons soft butter
• It is best not to add too much water while kneading the anise ka'ak because water causes the ka'ak to dry out during baking.
• Shape the dough into long fingers, roll them into ka'ak shapes, top with sesame seeds, and place them on a baking tray.
• Watch how to roll anise ka'ak through this link: How to make anise ka'ak (video)

Method

1. In a bowl, combine the flour and the fine semolina and mix, then add the oil-and-butter mixture ... stirring with your fingers until the flour grains absorb the liquid mixture...
2. Add the sugar, baking powder, whole anise seeds, ground anise, ka'ak spice, and ground mastic; continue to stir gently, then gradually add the water and knead well until you have a soft, smooth dough
3. It's best not to add too much water when kneading the anise cookies, as water can cause the cookies to dry out during baking...
4. Shape the dough into long finger-like strips, coil them into cookies, top with sesame seeds, and place them on a baking sheet
5. Bake the date-filled anise cookies in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 10–12 minutes until browned on both sides
   Timers: 12 min