Eid Maamoul with Pistachios, Dates, and Walnuts – Traditional Recipe

Eid Maamoul with Pistachios, Dates, and Walnuts – Traditional Recipe

Eid Maamoul is one of the most iconic desserts of the Arab world, prepared especially during the days of Eid. These shortbread-style cookies are filled with rich, sweet fillings like dates, pistachios, or walnuts, making them both flavorful and nourishing.

The tradition of making Maamoul is a social one—women often gather in homes before the holiday to prepare large quantities, filling the house with the aroma of butter, spices, and rose water. These cookies are then served to family, guests, and neighbors as a symbol of hospitality and celebration.

They are easy to prepare, popular with all ages, and energy-rich thanks to the nuts and dates, which provide essential nutrients along with a delicious taste.

---

Ingredients (Makes about 30 pieces)

 

For the dough:

• 850 g semolina

• 200 g flour

• 450 g melted butter

• 1 tsp ground mahlab (aromatic spice)

• 2 tbsp rose water

• 200 g sugar

For the walnut filling:

• 200 g walnuts, chopped

• 80 g sugar

• 1 tbsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp orange blossom water

For the date filling:

• 200 g ground dates

• 1 whole nutmeg, grated

• ½ tbsp butter

For the pistachio filling:

• 200 g pistachios, finely chopped

• 80 g sugar

• 1 tbsp lemon blossom water

---

Preparation

1. Make the dough:
   Mix sugar, mahlab, flour, semolina, and melted butter together. Gradually add the rose water and knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let it rest for 2 hours.

2. Prepare the fillings:

   • For walnuts: mix chopped walnuts with sugar, cinnamon, and orange blossom water.

   • For dates: knead the dates with butter and nutmeg until soft.

   • For pistachios: combine pistachios with sugar and lemon blossom water.

3. Shape the Maamoul:
   Divide the dough into three equal portions. Take small balls of dough, flatten them, and fill with your choice of walnuts, dates, or pistachios. Place the filled dough into a special Maamoul mold, press gently, then remove carefully to retain the pattern. Arrange on a baking tray dusted with flour or semolina to prevent sticking.

4. Bake:
   Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) until lightly golden.

5. Finish:
   Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and dust with powdered sugar. Allow to cool completely before serving.