Iraqi Kleicha Date Filled Pastries
Traditional Iraqi date-filled pastries, known as Kleicha, are aromatic, spiced cookies perfect for breakfast or tea time. These crescent-shaped delights feature a sweet date paste filling and are often decorated with sesame seeds for a special touch.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened, or coconut oil for dairy-free
- 0.25 cup sugar for dough
- 1 tsp ground cardamom freshly ground preferred
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp warm water or milk for richer dough
- 1 cup pitted dates medjool or deglet noor, chopped
- 1 tbsp date syrup or honey optional, for filling sweetness
- 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish, optional
- 0.25 tsp salt for dough
Notes
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Make-ahead: The dough can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated; the date filling can be prepared 3 days in advance. Variations: Substitute walnuts or almonds for a nutty twist, or add a pinch of orange zest to the filling for citrus notes. Serving suggestions: Pair with mint tea or Arabic coffee for an authentic Iraqi breakfast experience.