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Kaak (Easter Cookies)

Butter cookies filled with a date & walnut paste, shaped and baked at 350° with an orange blossom glaze

Section
Syrian-Lebanese · Desserts
Oven
350°F
Yield
~48 cookies

Ingredients

Dough

  • 6 lbs butter
  • 1½ lbs melted butter (for dough)
  • 2 cups powdered lime
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp mastic
  • ¼ tsp baking soda

Date Stuffing

  • 1 lb dates, coarsely ground
  • ½ cup finely chopped walnuts
  • 1 lb melted butter

Glaze

  • ½ cup half-and-half
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 drops orange blossom water

Directions

  1. Combine dough ingredients and mix well. Knead until smooth.
  2. Mix date stuffing: combine dates, walnuts, and melted butter. Mix well.
  3. Roll dates between wax paper ¼ inch thick. Make ½ moon shapes with dates.
  4. Roll out dough and cut cookies. Place date filling between cookie halves and press to seal.
  5. Pinch edges and decorate with a fork or cookie press.
  6. Place all balls in a bowl and let stand 15 minutes.
  7. Roll out to desired thickness and cut.
  8. Bake on cookie sheet at 350° for 20 minutes, until light brown.
  9. Make glaze: mix half-and-half, sugar, and orange blossom water.
  10. Brush cookies with glaze after cooking. Let cool on white sheet or cloth.
Easter Tradition: Kaak are traditionally made at Easter — the date filling represents sweetness and the shapes honor the season. They keep well for weeks in a tin.