Palestinian Date Bracelet Kaak

Ingredients

• 5 cups flour
• 1 cup fine semolina
• 2 cups melted ghee (or 1 cup ghee and 1 cup butter)
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 cups warm milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon kaak spice mix*
• 1 tablespoon black nigella seeds, toasted
• 1 tablespoon ground anise or anise seeds
• 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• Pinch of salt
• (You can add a little water if the dough needs it, depending on the type of flour)
• Filling:
• Date paste mixed with olive oil, butter, cinnamon, kaak spice mix, and vanilla
• Note:
• *Kaak spice mix can be bought ready-made or made at home. It consists of toasted and ground mahlab, anise, and fennel.
• The dough can be shaped into any form you like.
• Also from Fatima, enjoy Date Maqroota Dessert with Olive Oil

Method

1. In a deep bowl place the flour, semolina, baking powder, vanilla, spices, nigella seeds, kaak spice mix, anise, sesame, and salt, and mix them.
2. Add the ghee and oil and rub the dough well until the flour mixture absorbs all the fats.
3. Add the milk gradually and knead, then let the dough rest a little.
4. Divide it into equal pieces.
5. Roll out each piece and place a lengthwise amount of date filling in each piece, then roll it into a log.
6. Form the logs into bracelets by bringing the ends together and sealing them by pressing the ends with your finger (as shown in the picture).
7. Sprinkle the tops with sesame, nigella seeds, or anise, and arrange the bracelets on the baking tray.
8. Bake them in a preheated oven with top and bottom heat; place the tray in the middle of the oven for 10 to 15 minutes while monitoring.
   Timers: 15 min
9. When they are lightly browned, remove them from the oven.
10. Serve at room temperature.
11. *Ka'ak spice mix can be bought ready-made or made at home; it consists of roasted and ground mahleb, anise, and fennel.
12. The dough can be shaped in any form as desired.
13. Fatima Zahwi Gamloush
14. Also from Fatima, enjoy the date makrout with olive oil.