Moroccan Haloua With Dates

I came across these charming little sweets when I was researching ideas for My Breakfast with Maryam. It is the same dough I used  to create the little almond topped breakfast cookies.

They are the perfect little baby sweet and just right for Phe/MOM/enon who is raising awareness for March Of Dimes, March For Babies with her event Blogging For Babies.

This is my adaptation of the original recipe from a book featuring recipes by Fatima Mouzoun.The original recipe uses almonds, walnuts and orange flower water.

Haloua covers all kinds of sweet foods and pastries, and among them are the many different sweets and cookies served on festive occasions. I think these would be  fun to make with friends. All the rolling, flattening, stuffing could do with the distraction of some good conversation. Enjoy them with tea or coffee as they really do melt in the mouth as Fatima says.


Haloua With Dates

Dough
300 grams (2 2/3 cups) plain flour
250 grams (2 1/4 sticks) softened butter.
4 tablespoons orange juice

Put the flour in a medium bowl and make a well in centre
Put the softened pieces of butter into the well. Knead  butter into flour by hand.
Work in orange water.
Knead well together and roll into a ball..

Filling
250 grams (1 1/2 cups) dates
100 grams (2/3 cup) blanched almonds
50 grams (1/2 cup) cashews
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 4 tablespoons orange juice
Place all ingredients into  a food processor and chop until a smooth paste is formed.
Take a teaspoon of paste and roll into small date shapes.

Garnish
250 Grams (2 1/4 cups) icing (powdered) sugar

To make Haloua
Take a small ball of dough by hand and squeeze flat.
Place one of the date pieces on it and fold over dough and pinch ends together. If dough sticks to your hands roll teaspoonfuls into a ball drop into a bowl of flour and then flatten between palms of hands.
Place on a baking paper lined oven tray.
Bake at 180C for 15 minutes.

When cool sprinkle with the icing sugar to serve.

Want to know more about Little Wonders March for Babies Team? Fantastic!! Here is the Team Page. Any amount that you can sponsor is extremely appreciated. Please, please help spread the word and sponsor Little Wonders if you can! Thank you!

Comments

[Holly]

Thank you so much for helping spread the word! These do look wonderful. I love the idea of making them with friends and visiting. The kitchen is always the best place for it.

[kat]

sounds and looks delicious!

[Yoli]

Barbara it all looks so beautifula and delicious. I wish I could cook like you! I am going to see if my husband can make those, he is the cook in the family. Everytime I come here I leave hungry!

[Paz]

This looks soooo good!

Paz

[barbara]

Holly you're welcom. Good luck with the event.
Kat - thank you.
Yoli - you have a husband who cooks? Lucky you.
Paz. indeed, thank you.

[Bruno]

Hi Barbara,

I bet these would gone real well w/ my saffron gelato!

[Harini]

Hey, the Goan Christians in India normally prepare these as one of the Christmas goodies and I have tasted them - they are yummy! Nice entry too!

[Colleen W]

Oh they look like delicious tasty morsels perfect with a hot cup of sweet tea. YUM!