Maamoul

Directions

1. 1
   Prepare the filling.
2. 2
   For the nuts filling, finely chop the nuts and add sugar and enough orange-blossom water to moisten and hold the nuts together. If you're using walnuts, reduce the amount of the water to 1 tablespoon.
3. 3
   For the dates filling, place the pitted dates in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, take out and immediately mash with a fork to form a paste. Set aside to cool completely.
4. 4
   In a mixer or by hand mix the flour, sugar and butter. Add the water and milk just enough for the dough to hold together.
5. 5
   Let rest for 30 minutes as this makes the dough easier to handle.
6. 6
   Form the cookies.
7. 7
   Take a walnut size lump of dough.
8. 8
   Roll it into a ball and hollow it out with your thumb. Pinch the sides up to make a pot shape.
9. 9
   Fill the hole three-quarters full with the filling.
10. 10
    Bring the dough up over the opening to close into a ball. Flatten slightly.
11. 11
    Slightly decorate the tops with tweezers or a fork, (this will help the confectioners' sugar to cling after they are baked.
12. 12
    Place cookies on parchment paper and cook in a pre-heated 325 F oven for 20-25 minutes. Cookies should not become brown as this will affect the taste.
13. 13
    While warm, dust the cookies with confectioners' or powered sugar.