Palestinian Kahk Cookies (Printable)

Buttery kahk filled with date paste, coated in sesame seeds for a festive Middle Eastern treat.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
03 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
04 - 1/4 cup milk, plus more as needed
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Filling

08 - 1 cup pitted Medjool dates, chopped
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, optional

→ Coating

12 - 1/2 cup untoasted sesame seeds

# Directions:

01 - Set the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
03 - Add vanilla extract, then gradually mix in all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
04 - Add milk one tablespoon at a time, kneading gently until a soft, pliable dough forms; cover and set aside.
05 - Simmer chopped dates and butter over low heat in a small saucepan, stirring until the mixture becomes a paste; stir in cinnamon and cardamom, then cool.
06 - Divide dough into 24 equal pieces and flatten each into a disk using your palm.
07 - Place 1 teaspoon of date paste in the center of each disk, fold the dough to enclose the filling, pinch to seal, and gently roll into a ball.
08 - Roll each filled ball in sesame seeds, pressing lightly to ensure they adhere.
09 - Place cookies on the prepared sheet; gently flatten each with a fork or cookie mold to create a decorative pattern if desired.
10 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until bottoms are golden while tops remain pale.
11 - Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before serving or storing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The dough is forgiving and soft, almost therapeutic to work with, and the reward is a cookie that melts on your tongue.
  • These freeze beautifully, so you can make a batch and pull them out whenever you need something that feels homemade and special.
  • They're naturally vegetarian and pair perfectly with coffee or tea, making them ideal for unexpected guests or quiet moments alone.
02 -
  • The date filling must be completely cool before shaping, or the butter will transfer to your hands and the dough becomes impossible to work with.
  • Don't skip the gentle flattening step at the end; it helps the cookies bake evenly and gives them that signature kahk appearance that makes people recognize them instantly.
03 -
  • Keep the dough slightly cooler than room temperature, and chill your hands occasionally if they warm up; this prevents the dough from becoming greasy and difficult to shape.
  • If the sesame seeds aren't sticking, brush the ball very lightly with water first, then roll it gently; the water creates just enough surface tension to make them adhere.
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