Klaychah (date Cookies)

Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried dates, finely chopped (dried pressed dates)
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup milk

Recipe

• 1 in saucepan, combine dates, butter, water, cardamom and cloves.
• 2 cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until dates become a paste.
• 3 let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
• 4 meanwhile, in mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. make a well; add shortening and milk. knead into dough, adding more flour or milk if necessary.
• 5 divide dough into 4 parts then roll, one at a time, to about 1/4-inch thickness.
• 6 divide date paste into 4 parts and roll each out, between sheets of wax paper, to match dough size.
• 7 remove wax paper; place date layer on dough. (if date paste is too soft, gently spread each portion on dough with knife.)
• 8 roll into cylinder, jellyroll style.
• 9 slice rolls into 1-inch pieces and place on greased baking sheet.
• 10 bake in preheated 325f oven 35 minutes or until cookies begin to turn golden brown.
• 11 let cool.