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Date cookies, Kelecha
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The Most Beautiful Date & Pistachio Cookies

The Most Beautiful Date & Pistachio Cookies You’ll Ever Make, Vegan Friendly Kelecha or Kleicha, Perfectly shaped that Look Like Jewelry. So easy to make! These gorgeous date & pistachio Cookies or Middle Eastern inspired dessert, kelecha or kleicha are 100% vegan, melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and shaped so pretty they look like little edible jewels! Perfect for any occasions, Christmas gifts, or just treating yourself., no dairy, no fancy equipment – just pure magic in every bite! ✨
Prep Time1 hour 45 minutes
Active Time13 minutes
Total Time2 hours
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: Date cookies, easy desserts, kelecha, kleicha, Pistachio cookies, Pretty Desserts, Vegan Cookies, Vegetarian
Yield: 20 people
Calories: 135kcal
Cost: $9

Equipment

  • 1 baking tray

Materials

  • 1 3/4 Cup Flour
  • 3/4 Cup Oat Milk vegan Milk
  • 1/4 Cup of Oil
  • 0.5 Teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Teaspoon Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon Dry yeast
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract optional
  • 1 Teaspoon Rosewater
  • 2 Tablespoon of Honey
  • 1/2 Cup Dates paste
  • 1 Cup Roughly Ground pistachios
  • Cinnamon Optional or Cardamon Optional

Instructions

  • Warm up 3/4 cup of oat milk in the microwave for 30 seconds, then add 1/4 cup of oil, vanilla (optional) and pour into the bowl.
  • Add Flour and mix well, Cover it up and rest in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
  • Prepare the Pistachio nuts filling by adding 1 cup roughly ground pistachio nuts into the bowl, 1 teaspoon rose water, 2 heaping teaspoons honey, mix until combine.
  • Prepare the Date Filling, Date paste, add Cinnamon or Cardamom (optional). some people heat the date paste on the pan and add a little bit of oil so it will make the date paste soft and spreadable. But I skip that step to save times and less messy.
  • You can also substitute the date paste with dried dates: simmer them for 20 minutes and mash them up. It tastes even better than store-bought date paste.
  • For the filling for flower shape cookies we prepare the filling by rolling date filling and nuts filling into small balls, Sprinkle some cinnamon (or ground cardamom) This is optional.
  • I'm divided the dough into 3 parts evenly. the first part of the dough I will make 4 flowers and 2 leaves cookies, So I prepare the dough by creating 6 equal balls.
  • then cover the dough with plastic wrap, so it won't dry out.
  • Flatten the dough, place the date filling inside, and seal it, Gently press to flatten the dough. Work the dough slightly to ensure the date filling inside spreads out evenly. Continue the same process. So at the end of this first part of the dough you will get 4 round pieces for flower shape and 2 oval pieces for the leaf shape cookies. Cover with plastic wrap and we will come back to finish them up.
  • For the second part of the dough, we will divide it into 6 equal balls aswell.
  • Flatten the dough to add the nut filling. Now we will close and seal the dough and shape it into a half-moon or half circle shape.
  • Gently flatten and thin out the edges, so they are easier to fold into a decorative pattern
  • Start folding the edge over itself, watch in the video.
  • The first one will be the most difficult, Once you get used to it, the rest will be easy. Repeat the same process until you finish all 6 pieces.
  • Start with the flowers: make 5 cuts around the round shape.
  • We will make 2 styles of flowers. For the first style, shape all the flower petals just like in the video. Then, put a tiny piece of the date mixture in the center to decorate the flower.
  • For the second style of flower, everything else is the same as the first style, except you twist the petals.
  • For the leaf shape, make cuts exactly as shown in the video. Decorate the leaves however you like. I put the date mixture in the middle of the leaf. For one of them, I added the nut mixture at the bottom just to add some green color.
  • Now, we are working with the Third part of the dough.
  • We will make the original shape, it will look just like the shape of traditional cinnamon rolls. This is actually our favorite shape!
  • Try to spread the dough out into a rectangular shape.
  • Spread a thin layer of date paste over the dough.
  • Then, sprinkle some cinnamon on top (optional). and Roll it up
  • Cut diagonally into small pieces.
  • Use a fork to poke some holes on top. This creates a cute design and also prevents the dough from rising too much.
  • Now we finished all 5 shapes, it's time to bake!
  • Brush all the cookies with egg wash, or oat milk for a vegan option.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes.
  • Once they turn beautiful golden brown color. They are ready to enjoy!

Video

Notes

 all ingredients, simple!date fillingstuff the date filling inside of the prepared doughmake flowers and leaves  how to cut into the leaf roll it like cinnamon rollcut it into small pieces Poke some holes to prevent over rising     seal around the edges, make it flat and thin stretch and fold to create a beautiful design  fold it keep folding it a pretty cookie shape is doneit's time to bakebeautiful cookiesready to enjoy It's ready to enjoy 
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on ingredients and preparation.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 17.6g | Protein: 2.6g | Fat: 5.8g | Fiber: 1.6g | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 0.9mg