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If you've never cooked with dates before, I recommend starting with Klecha recipe. The end result is well worth it! Klecha date cookies are Kurdish and Iraqi cookies made with dates and with a delicious cardamom flavor. They can be found in every kitchen during holidays, such as Eid El- Adha and Eid-El Kabir and Christmas.
These Klecha Cookies are Irresistible
No Iraqi can celebrate a religious or special occasion without this smooth date paste wrapped in richly spiced dough. It melts in your mouth with each bite. Klecha is flavored with cardamom, and it can be found in every kitchen during holidays, such as Eid El- Adha and Eid-El Kabir and Christmas.
It is usually baked a couple of days before Eid in Kurdish and Iraqi households and served during Eid with black tea or Turkish coffee.
Klecha Stuffing Variations
You can make this dough in many different variations. I will give you different options, and you can make whatever you like the best. Klecha can be filled in coconut flakes mixed with sugar, crushed walnuts and sugar, and or date paste mixed with shredded coconut. You can also fill it with pistachios or sesame seeds.
The Klecha dough is usually made in big batches, and usually, back home neighbors are called for help. They are prepared at home but transferred to a bakery during bake time.
My Favorite Sweet Treat
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Klecha healthy?
Klecha recipe is very healthy; the sweetens come from dates. However, if you want them to be healthier, you can replace oil and butter with coconut oil and replace white flour with whole-wheat flour.
Can I use fresh dates in the filling?
Sure. If using fresh dates, chop them into small pieces and place them in a frying pan with a little oil. Warm over a medium-low heat until the dates become soft and the mixture starts to stick together. Mash the dates with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth, but still thick and sticky, mixture.
Is Klecha the same as ma'moul?
TheseIraqi date cookiesare similar to ma’moul. However, ma'moul dough, unlike Klecha, does not contain yeast. Furthermore, some fine semolina is usually added to the flour in the Maamoul dough.
Tips and Tricks
Klecha is not difficult to make, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make your date filling into a jam-like consistency so it can be easily spread;
- Roll out the dough on parchment paper or cling film/wrap to help you roll it up. If you don't, I believe it will be difficult to pick up evenly.
- Cut the slices with a serrated knife. Wipe the knife clean between cuts to remove any excess date mixture.
- Before putting the Kleicha in the oven, make sure there is enough space between them on the baking tray. It is recommended that only 10 to 12 Kleicha be placed on a standard 812 inch baking tray, as the cookies will swell on top of each other during baking.
Ingredients for Kurdish kulicha/ Iraqi Klecha recipe:
- milk
- water
- yeast
- sugar
- flour
- pinchof salt
- butter
- baking dates
- shredded coconut
- tablespoonsoil
- Cardamom (optional)
- Cinnamon (optional)
- eggs (to brush Klecha before baking)
How to make Kleicha / Kurdish Cookies recipe:
Make the dough:
- In a bowl, add lukewarm water and lukewarm milk with yeast and sugar. Let the yeast activate.
- Add flour to a larger bowl, add butter and oil, and activated yeast.
- Knead the dough for a couple of minutes until a soft dough ball is formed.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for an hour until it doubles in size.
Make the filling:
- Put date paste, coconut flakes, and oil in a microwavable bowl and microwave it for one minute and mix until everything is combined. Make sure the filling is warm before using, so it is easy to spread.
Assemble
- Divide the dough into 3-4 pieces.
- Use aclean surface or a piece of parchment paper. Roll the first dough ball in a circle or a rectangle that is about ¼ inch/6mm thick. The parchment will help you roll the Kleicha easily.
- Microwave the date paste and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Spread the date paste into the dough evenly.
- Lift the dough or the parchment paper to help you roll from one of the short ends and form a roll. Finish it by having the other end on the bottom, so it seals together. Flatten the roll slightly with your finger.
- Use a knife to cut the roll into slices carefully. Approximately 1 inch thick or thinner if you prefer. Make sure you don’t cut them too big. They will double in size while baking.
- Place Klecha in a prepared baking tray.
- Beat eggs in a bowl; Brush each piece with egg mixture.
- Repeat the process with the other pieces of dough.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F (180˚C).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes and broil until golden.
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Klecha Recipe
Jay
You will love this Iraqi Klecha recipe which is made of date paste spiced with cardamom and cinnamon and wrapped in a crumbly pastry.
4.15 from 14 votes
Tried this recipe?Mention @sourandsweets or tag #sourandsweets!
Print Recipe Comment Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour hr
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
30 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs
Course Dessert
Cuisine Mediterranean
Calories
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup water
- 1-2 teaspoons yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 cups flour
- pinch of salt
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup oil
- 13 oz baking dates
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Cardamom optional
- Cinnamon optional
- 2 egg for egg wash
Instructions
Make the Dough
In a bowl, add lukewarm water and lukewarm milk with yeast and sugar. Let the yeast activate.
Add flour to a larger bowl, add butter and oil, and activated yeast.
Knead the dough for a couple of minutes until a soft dough ball is formed.
Cover the dough and let it rest for an hour until it doubles in size.
Make the Filling
Meanwhile,make the filling. put date paste, shredded coconut, and oil in a microwavable bowl and microwave it for one minute and mix until everything is combined. Make sure the filling is warm before using so it is easy to spread.
Assemble and Bake
Divide the dough into 3-4 pieces.
Use a clean surface or a piece of parchment paper. Roll the first dough ball in a circle or a rectangle that is about ¼ inch/6mm thick. The parchment will help you roll the Kleicha easily.
Microwave the date paste and spread it evenly with a spatula.
Spread the date paste into the dough evenly.
Lift the dough or the parchment paper to help you, roll from one of the short ends and form a roll. Finish it by having the other end on the bottom ,so it seals together. Flatten the roll slightly with your finger.
Use a knife to carefully cut the roll into slices. Approx 1in thick or thinner if you prefer. Make sure you don’t cut them too big, they will probably double in size while baking.
Place klecha in a prepared baking tray.
Beat eggs in a bowl.
Brush each piece with egg mixture.
Repeat the process with the other pieces of dough.
Preheat the oven to 350 F (180˚C).
Bake for 20-25 minutes and broil until golden.
