Ma'amoul


Ma'amoul is an Arab filled pastry or cookie made with dates, nuts such as pistachios or walnuts and occasionally almonds, or figs.
Ma'amoul are usually made a few days before Christmas, Easter, or Eid, then stored to be served with Arabic coffee and chocolate to guests who come during the holiday. It is popular throughout the Arab world, especially in the Arabian peninsula.
They may be in the shape of balls, domed or flattened cookies. They can either be decorated by hand or be made in special wooden moulds. Ma'amoul with date fillings are often known as menenas, and are sometimes made in the form of date rolls rather than balls or cookies.

Etymology

The Arabic word Ma'amoul is derived from the Arabic verb, meaning to “to do”.

Popularity

Many households keep a stock of them all year round, but they are notably consumed during religious festivals.
A more elaborate version known as Karabij is used on special occasions. For this, nut-filled ma'amoul balls are stacked in a pyramid and served with a white cream called Naatiffe made from egg whites, sugar syrup and soapwort. It is popular in Syria, Lebanon, and other Levantine countries.