Semolina Cinnamon-Date Cookies (Middle Eastern Ka'iK Cookies)

A Middle Eastern Holiday Cookie.
Very Traditional Holiday Treat.

Almost pronounced like Kayak as in the boat Kayak.
Or even like the pronounced way Qaī-ick (Long i sound in front)

It is a Sweet Cinnamon Date, Semolina Cookie used for EID and Easter Holidays in the Middle East.

The Origins of the this little treat is not known. But speculation show it in the Lebanese, Syrian, Palestine connecting areas.
Areas that had large French influences under French Rule.
French rule helped show many locals the art of the Bakeries. Something the French learned from the Italians as well with Breads.
Note: This is with the Flour version of this cookie only.
Now!
With the introduction of Semolina as in this recipe though has made this all Palestinian.
We don't see any history of Semolina used to make this other then the Northern regions of Palestine.
And with that, and the Pali people, we learned the ancient technique of making these wonderful cookies. Both Semolina and Flour versions.
In fact this is my favorite one of all them.
A buttery, crumbly, crunchy, taste with sweet juicy Cinnamon Dates inside.
It literally explodes with every bite.
See my Flour made version as well to enjoy both styles.

Have the kids help out too in this wonderful ancient holiday tradition of the Middle East.

ENJOY!

Ingredients:

DAY 1:
Dough Prep:

8 Cups Semolina
1 Cup Flour
2 Cups Butter Flavored Shortening
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DAY 2:
Final Dough Prep:
YEAST SETUP
1 Cup Water
1 Tsp Sugar
1 Tbsp Fast Acting Yeast
DOUGH FINALS
1 Tbsp Anise Powder
1 Tbsp Ka'ik Spice (Nutmeg, Cinnamon)
1 1/2 Cup Butter Flavored Shortening

2 Cups Warm Milk(To Make Dough Batches)

FILLING
2 Packages of Date Paste (26oz)
1 Tsp Cinnamon
2 Tbsps Olive Oil

Powdered Sugar to Decorate

FOOTNOTE:
The process of making these cookies will require a couple attempts to perfect it.
The small dough batches with warm milk are designed to make small portions at a time, unless you have 8 pairs of hands.
Cause if you don't the dough dries fast. So don't add the entire milk to the whole batch. Or it will harden with dryness.
We only do small batches at a time.


Music:
Suonatore di Liuto Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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Music Edited for Space requirements