Name: Iraqi Date Cookies
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 80 min
Cuisine: Iraqi
Ingredients: 1 cup ground almonds.; 1 1/4 cups rice flour.; 1 tsp salt.; 1/4 tsp cinnamon.; 1/4 tsp cardamom powder.; 1/3 cup (80ml) melted coconut oil.; 1/3 cup (80ml) milk of choice.; 250g soft dates.; 1/2 cup (120ml) water.; 1 tsp cinnamon.; 1 tsp cardamom.; Pinch of salt.; Sesame seeds for topping.

Three stacked pieces of sweet, rolled dates covered in a coarse, light-colored sugar are displayed against a blurred background. | cookingwithcasey.com

Kleicha brings Iraqi tradition to your kitchen. These date-filled cookies offer warm spices and natural sweetness perfect for teatime.

What You Need

Ground almonds 2 cups base
Dates 1 cup filling
Cinnamon cardamom pinch each
Maple syrup optional sweetness
Sesame seeds garnish

Quick Assembly

Make Dough: Mix almonds spices form dough
Add Filling: Spread date paste roll log
Slice Bake: Cut cookies bake golden

Success Tips

Chill dough if soft. Freeze logs easier slicing. Sharp knife clean cuts.

A plate of sweet, rolled desserts filled with a dark jam-like center, topped with sesame seeds, surrounded by a cozy, softly lit setting. | cookingwithcasey.com

Storage

Keep airtight container fridge. Perfect for gifting special occasions.

Mix It Up

Add nuts to filling. Try figs apricots instead. Drizzle honey maple optional.

Perfect Pairing

Serve with spiced tea coffee. Traditional Middle Eastern experience.

Healthy Choice

Fiber from dates. Healthy fats almonds. No refined sugar.

A plate of rolled sweets with a sweet filling and sprinkled sesame seeds, set against a dark background with decorative elements. | cookingwithcasey.com

Perfect Rolling

Use parchment guide. Roll gently evenly. Prevents filling gaps.

Adjust Sweetness

Add maple syrup honey. Dust powdered sugar. Control sweetness level.

Nut Free Option

Replace almonds oat flour. Keeps texture tender.

Citrus Boost

Add orange lemon zest. Brightens flavors nicely.

Freezer Ready

Freeze logs three months. Slice bake as needed.

A stack of three halved, sesame-coated snacks revealing a dark, sweet filling inside. | cookingwithcasey.com

Holiday Favorite

Perfect for Eid Christmas. Beautiful spiral design.

Creative Fillings

Try nuts apple compote chocolate. Modern twists traditional cookie.

Family Fun

Kids help mix roll shape. Creates kitchen memories.

Wine Pairing

Pairs Muscat Riesling. Elegant dessert combination.

Cultural Connection

Links to Iraqi heritage. Shares family traditions.

A plate of rolled sweets filled with a dark fruit paste and coated in finely ground nuts, garnished with sesame seeds, set against a dark background. | cookingwithcasey.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use regular flour instead of rice flour?: Yes, wholemeal spelt flour works well as mentioned in the recipe. Regular all-purpose flour can also be used if not requiring gluten-free cookies.
→ Why chill the dough?: Chilling helps firm up the coconut oil and makes the dough easier to handle. If the dough feels firm enough, you can skip this step.
→ Can I use different nuts?: Ground almonds can be substituted with other ground nuts like walnuts or pistachios, though this will change the traditional flavor.
→ How long do these keep?: Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they keep well for up to 2 weeks. The flavor actually improves after a day or two.
→ Can I freeze these cookies?: Yes, they freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Modern Kleicha Cookies