Kleicha Cookies (Iraqi Date Cookies)
Kleicha is a traditional Iraqi cookie, cherished across the country and often made for festive occasions. These aromatic cookies are typically filled with date paste or spiced nuts and shaped into various forms. With a delicate blend of flavors from cardamom. Kleicha offers a taste of Iraqi heritage in every bite, symbolizing warmth and celebration.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour unbleached
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup ghee room temperature
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 tbsp thick cream
- 1 ½ tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp instant yeast
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- pinch salt
For Date Filling
- 1 cup store-bought date paste
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
For Egg Wash
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp milk
Instructions
- In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the flour, ground cardamom, yeast, sugar and salt.
- Add the melted butter and ghee, to the dry ingredients. mix on low speed using the whisk attachment, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Replace the whisk attachment with the dough hook. Add thick cream and gradually add milk to the dry mixture while mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour as needed.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rest in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
Preparing the Date Filling:
- Place the date paste in a mixing bowl. Add the ghee and ground cardamom to the date paste. Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined and smooth.
Assembling the Kleicha:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Take a portion of the dough, flatten the dough with a rolling pin to form a large, even circle.
- Use a knife or pizza cutter to trim the edges of the circle to create straight, equal sides.
- Take portion of the date filling and roll it into a long log. Place the date filling log along one side of the dough (the side closest to you)
- Carefully roll the dough over the filling, starting from the side with the filling. fold it two times and tightly, flatten it a little by pressing gently by hand, cut the filled part using a pizza cutter or knife to separate the filled strap.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the filled strap into about 2-inch pieces.
- Use a fork to gently poke and create decorative patterns on the top of each piece.
- Beat the egg yolk with milk and brush the tops of the cookies with the egg wash.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.
- Once get out of the oven transfer the cookies into a bowl and cover it with kitchen towel to prevent it from drying.
- Let the cookies cool before serving. Serve it with a cup of the traditional Iraqi cardamom black tea, or Karak tea.
Notes
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- Storage: Store cooled Kleicha in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last for up to a week. also it's freezer friendly.
- Prepare ahead: You can prepare the dough ahead and keep it in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Serving: Kleicha is best enjoyed with tea or coffee. They can also be served as a festive treat during holidays and special occasions.
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- Variations: Experiment with different fillings like spiced nuts (crushed walnut spiced with cardamom and sweetened with granulated sugar) or a mixture of dates and nuts for variety (I usually add nuts or roasted sesame seeds).
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- Substitution: you can substitute thick cream with greek yogurt or heavy cream sub 1:1. also instead of milk and cream you can use water. You can substitute ghee with unsalted butter.