My Grandmother Used to Make These Delicious Traditional Christmas Pastry // Kleecha With New Filling

walnuts

🥗Healthier: almonds

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Almonds provide healthy fats while being more affordable than walnuts.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a healthier fat option.

dates

🥗Healthier: dried figs

💰Cheaper: raisins

Figs offer similar sweetness and texture.

rose water

🥗Healthier: orange blossom water

💰Cheaper: vanilla extract

Vanilla extract is more accessible and still flavorful.

In a large frying pan over low heat, melt the ghee or the butter, then add the date paste or soft dates and the cardamom. Mix and cook until the date paste becomes soft over low heat then turn off the heat and set aside.

In another pan over low heat, cook the flour until it turns light brown with constant stirring, then add the walnuts, mix well, turn off the heat. Place them directly on top of the previously prepared dates and mix together well, adding a pinch of salt as well. You can add more butter if you wish. The filling is now ready. Leave it to cool a little and then use it directly.

Take a small piece of dough the size of an egg and form it in your hand into a ball. Place it on a cutting board or a clean surface, roll it out with a rolling pin into a circle approximately 4~5 inches in size. The size depends on your preference.

Add about 2 tablespoons of prepared filling on the half of the circle. Press the filling slightly with the bottom of a spoon until it is at one level.

Fold the other half of the circle over the filling, press the edges until it closes well, and place it on a tray lined up with parchment paper.

Do the same procedure above with all the dough, you will have about 14-16 pieces.

Crimp the edges starting with first one.

Poke them with a fork in several places and brush them with a mixture of egg and a little bit of cardamom powder.

Bake them in a preheated oven at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from the baking tray into a large tray to cool down completely then you can enjoy them or store them in the freezer in the Ziplock bag.

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level:

Allergens