KLEECHA Famous Iraqi Cookies الكليجة العراقية samira's kitchen episode # 15 part 1

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is dairy-free and lower in saturated fat.

walnuts

🥗Healthier: almonds

💰Cheaper: pecans

Almonds provide similar crunch and flavor with less cost.

dates

🥗Healthier: dried figs

💰Cheaper: raisins

Figs offer a similar sweetness and texture.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is lower in calories and adds a nutty flavor.

Dissolve 2 and 1/2 teaspoons of dry yeast and 2 tablespoons of sugar in 1/4 cup of lukewarm water and let sit for about 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix 7 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Add 2 cups of melted butter to the flour mixture and mix until incorporated.

Add 1 cup of yogurt and knead the dough until smooth, either by machine or by hand.

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, and let it rest in a warm place for about 2 to 3 hours.

Prepare the filling by heating 2 cups of date paste with 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon over low heat until soft and combined.

Roll out the date filling into a thin rectangle between plastic wrap.

After the dough has rested, take a small portion and roll it out as thin as possible.

Cut the rolled dough into strips and fill with the date mixture, then shape into cookies.

Arrange the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush with egg wash.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the cookies for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.

Prepare a walnut filling by rolling out dough and placing half a teaspoon of walnut filling in the center, then shape into a half moon and seal the edges.

Use decorative molds for shaping if desired, and brush with egg wash before baking.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens