Date Maamoul Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups coarse semolina
• 1 cup fine semolina or frika flour
• 1 cup melted ghee
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon mastic
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 3 tablespoons rose water
• 3 tablespoons orange blossom water
• Filling:
• 1/2 kilo pitted dates
• 100 grams soft butter
• 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
• 1 tablespoon rose water
• For more maamoul recipes, see the link: Date maamoul with flour and butter

Method

1. Mix the dough ingredients well and knead until you obtain a cohesive dough.
2. Let the dough rest for at least about one hour until it rests and proofs.
3. In the meantime, prepare the filling: grind the dates in a food processor then knead them with the butter, rose water, and orange blossom water.
4. When the maamoul dough is ready, place half of the dough in a baking pan and spread it evenly.
5. Spread the date filling evenly over the dough layer in the pan.
6. Place the remaining dough between two sheets of plastic wrap — put the dough on one sheet and cover with another.
7. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin or by hand until it is the size of the pan.
8. Remove the top sheet of plastic and carefully flip the dough over the filling, pressing gently to arrange it.
9. Place the pan in a hot oven at 200°C for 25 to 30 minutes until it browns on the bottom.
   Timers: 30 min
10. Serve the date maamoul bars when they have cooled.