I would love to introduce you guys to Makuta, a delicious date filled cookie known for its aromatic anise flavor and delicious sesame topping. This cookie is very similar to Ma’amoul which is a very popular Middle Eastern date filled cookie often served around Eid for Muslims.

Difference Between Ma’amoul and Makrouta

While Ma’amoul is more delicate and intricate to make, Makrouta is sturdier, less sweet, and easier to produce. It makes for a mouthwatering treat with a warm cup of tea or coffee. I will be sharing with you a recipe that my mom once shared with me for these beautiful and flavorful Makrouta cookies using some of the best products from Ziyad Brand. hope you enjoy this recipe! Tag @fufuinthekitchen and @ziyadbrand with your creations when you bake these beauties! We would love to see!

Ingredients You Need To Make Makrouta

For the best flavor and most authentic results, I love using many of the ingredients from Ziyad. I kid you not; their baking date paste is the best around and is highly recommended among their other food products too. Their Ground Mahlab, Anise Seeds, and Ground Cinnamon add that warm, traditional flavor that makes Makrouta so special. I also like finishing these cookies with Ziyad Sesame Seeds and a touch of Ziyad Honey for the perfect sweetness and crunch. These are the same ingredients my family has trusted for years, and they truly help bring out the wonderful flavors that make these cookies taste just like home.

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How To Make Makrouta

In a large bowl, mix together all the dough ingredients other than the water. You can do this on a KitchenAid using the paddle attachment or with your hands. Slowly, add in the water until the dough is easy to work with. Keep the dough covered with plastic wrap to avoid drying out.

In another bowl, mix together the filling ingredients. Set aside.

In a shallow pan, mix together the topping ingredients. Set aside.

Roll the dough out on a clean surface covered with plastic wrap to prevent dough from sticking. Make sure to add flour to the rolling pin to avoid sticking too. Roll out dough to about 1 inch thick into a rectangular shape.

Roll some of the date paste into a log (not too thin or thick).

Lay this date paste log closest to you on the dough. Roll the dough over the date paste tightly into a log then use a pizza cutter to cut off the excess dough.

Keep repeating with the dough making logs. Using the same pizza cutter, make diagonal cuts to the stuffed log to make your cookies. Then dip the cookie into the topping and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake in a 375 F oven for 15-20 minutes then broil for 1-2 minutes for a nice brown color on top.

Serve room temperature. Store these in an airtight container on room temperature for about a month. These can also be frozen and thawed out before serving too.

Makrouta

Makrouta is a delicious date-filled cookie known for its aromatic anise flavor and sesame topping. Similar to Ma’amoul, it is sturdier, less sweet, and easier to make, making it perfect with a warm cup of tea or coffee.

Serves 40 Cookies

Total Time:1 hour hr

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Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

• ▢ 3 cups All Purpose Flour
• ▢ 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• ▢ 2 tbsp. Nido Milk powder
• ▢ 1 tsp Ziyad Brand Ground Mahlab
• ▢ 2 tbsp. Ground Anise
• ▢ 2 tbsp. Ziyad Brand Anise Seeds
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups semi-melted Crisco butter
• ▢ 1/2-3/4 cup Water

Filling Ingredients

• ▢ 1-13 oz Ziyad Brand Baking Date Paste
• ▢ 1 tsp Wild Garden Ghee or butter
• ▢ 1 tsp Ziyad Brand Ground Cinnamon
• ▢ 1 tbsp. Ziyad Brand Anise Seeds

Topping Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup Ziyad Brand Sesame Seeds
• ▢ 2 tbsp. simple syrup or melted Ziyad Brand honey

Instructions

Prepare the Dough

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, milk powder, mahlab, ground anise, anise seeds, and semi-melted Crisco butter.
• Slowly add the water until the dough is easy to work with.
• Keep the dough covered with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

Prepare the Filling

• In a separate bowl, mix together the date paste, ghee or butter, cinnamon, and anise seeds.
• Set aside.

Prepare the Topping

• In a shallow dish, combine the sesame seeds with the simple syrup or melted honey.
• Set aside.
• Shape the Cookies
• Cover a clean work surface with plastic wrap to prevent sticking.
• Lightly flour the rolling pin.
• Roll the dough into a rectangle about 1 inch thick.
• Roll some of the date filling into a log, making sure it is not too thin or too thick.
• Place the date log near the edge of the dough closest to you.
• Roll the dough tightly around the date filling to form a log.
• Use a pizza cutter to trim any excess dough.
• Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
• Cut each log diagonally with a pizza cutter to form individual cookies.
• Dip the top of each cookie into the sesame topping.
• Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake

• Bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes.
• Broil for 1–2 minutes to achieve a golden-brown top.
• Serve and Store
• Allow the cookies to cool and serve at room temperature.

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
These cookies can also be frozen and thawed before serving.

Did you try this recipe?Don’t forget to leave a rating and a review!!