Ba’ba Tamar Recipe

Date Filling
2 cups date paste
1/4 cup olive oil
3 Tbsp water
1/4 cup crushed walnuts
Combine dates and olive oil, then add water and walnuts until mixture becomes a smooth paste. Set aside.

Garnish
3 eggs
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp water
1/2 cup sesame seeds
In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, honey and water. Set aside.

Dough Recipe
2 packets active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp kosher salt
2 cups warm water, divided
7 cups all purpose flour, sifted
1 cup avocado or vegetable oil
1 tsp fennel or nigella seeds

• In a small bowl, add warm water to yeast, sugar and salt. Cover and leave to proof for 10 to 15 minutes.
• In a stand mixer, add flour, oil, water, fennel seeds and yeast mixture and mix until a dough is formed.
• Remove dough from mixer bowl and knead the dough by hand until it is smooth and stretchy. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, then rub some oil on top of the dough. Cover with a kitchen towel, set aside in a warm spot for 1 hour.
• Remove the dough and knead for 2 minutes. Return to the bowl and let stand for 25 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Divide the dough into four pieces. Grease hands with oil, pinch the dough into golf ball size balls and roll till smooth. Lay the dough balls on a greased baking sheet.
• Place a ball of dough into the palm of your hand, make a deep indentation into the dough and place half a tablespoon of date filling in the hole.
• Pinch dough closed. With a small rolling pin, roll the ball flat until it is about 4 inches in diameter. With the end of the rolling pin, make a few indentations in the center of the cookie. Place cookies on a baking sheet.
• Brush cookies with egg mixture, then top with sesame seeds.
• Repeat until all dough and date filling are used.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden and crispy.