Date Cookies Recipe (Iraq)

Date Cookies Recipe (Iraq)

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup chopped walnuts

Sift together the flour, baking powder, cardamom, and salt; then set aside. Mix thoroughly the butter, sugar and eggs; then gradually add the dry ingredients until a soft dough is formed. Stir in the dates and walnuts, then place heaping teaspoons of the dough an inch apart on an ungreased cookie tray. Place in a preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the cookies turn golden brown. Remove and allow to cool before serving.

Hilwat Tamr

Hilwat Tamr
(Date Nut Pie)

1/2 cup coarsley chopped blanched almonds
1/2 cup coarsley chopped walnuts
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup half anf half
1 lb dates, finely chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp orange blossom water
2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted

Mix the almonds, walnuts and sugar; then set aside
In a heavy frying pan, melt the butter; then stir in the cream, cinnamon and orange blossom water. Saute over a low heat until the dates become soft, stirring once in a while to make sure the dates don't stick. Add a little more cream if necessary. Stir in the nut mixture; then saute for a further 3 minutes.
Spread evenly in a pie pan; then bake in a 300 degree farenheit oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and allow to cool. Cut into small pie shaped wedges.