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!
