Maamoul Mad with Qashta (Cream)

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups fine semolina
• 1/2 cup medium semolina
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 3/4 cups ghee or butter
• 1 teaspoon mahleb
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• A pinch of baking soda (less than 1/2 teaspoon)
• 1/3 cup liquid milk
• Qashta (Cream):
• 5 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Orange blossom water (to taste)
• Ready-made qareeshah (curd cheese)
• Strawberry and Chocolate Custard from Esraa at the link

Method

1. In a pot over medium heat, combine the milk with the cornstarch, flour and sugar. Stir continuously until the mixture boils and thickens.
2. Add the butter and orange blossom water, stir, then pour the qareeshah into a wide dish and let it cool.
3. Prepare the qareeshah (or use ready-made), mix it with the cooked qashta and stir well.
4. For Israa’s method of preparing qareeshah see the link How to make qashta qareeshah
5. Make the maamoul dough: mix all the dry ingredients, then rub in the ghee/butter.
6. Add the milk and bring the dough together without kneading.
7. Divide the dough into two portions. Press the first portion evenly into the baking pan.
8. Spread the qashta mixture over it, taking care not to bring it too close to the edges. You may sprinkle chopped pistachios over the cream if desired.
9. Place the second portion of dough between two sheets of parchment paper or a plastic bag, and roll it out with a rolling pin.
10. Place the rolled layer over the cream and press very lightly.
11. Decorate the top of the maamoul mad with a fork.
12. Put the pan in the oven on the middle rack and bake with top and bottom heat.
13. Bake for about 30 minutes, watching until the top and edges are golden.
    Timers: 30 min
14. When you remove it from the oven, brush a little simple syrup over the top and let it cool completely.
15. Once cooled, cut into pieces and garnish with pistachios.