Iraqi Kleicha Recipe
These traditional Iraqi pastries are a must-try for any food lover. Kleicha is an Iraqi date cookie often enjoyed during celebrations, especially during EID celebrations. This is my mother's recipe; it is easy to prepare, delicious, and plant-based.
Equipment
- Food processor
- Oven
- Pan
Ingredients
Kleicha Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon Kleicha spice mix *Note 1
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable ghee melted,divided
- 2 teaspoon black seeds
- 200 ml water
- 600 g date paste
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 2 tablespoon almond milk
- ½ teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
Preparing Kleicha Dough
- This is how to prepare the dough using food processor.
- To the food processor Add flour, baking powder, Kleicha spice mix, and salt.
- Mix the ingredients by pulsing.
- Start gradually adding the vegetable ghee (reserve 1 tablespoon for the date-filling), mixing until all the ghee is added. At this stage, the dough must resemble a crumble.
- Add the black seeds and mix.
- Start adding the water gradually and keep mixing. This will take 2-3 minutes.
- Leave the dough to rest for 15 minutes covered with a kitchen towel. While the Kleicha dough is resting, prepare the dates filling.
Preparing The Dates Filling:
- Add one tablespoon of vegetable ghee to a hot pan and the dates paste.
- Add cardamom powder, press it into the date paste, and mix. keep mixing till all is combined well for 2 minutes.
- Let it cool down to room temperature before making the Kleicha.
Making the Kleicha:
- Preheat the oven to 200℃. Add parchment paper to a baking tray and set it aside.
- Prepare the vegan egg wash by mixing almond milk and olive oil and setting aside.
- Begin making the Kleicha by taking a small ball-sized dough. Form it in your hand. Flatten it into a circle shape. Place a smaller ball of the date paste in the middle of the dough circle.
- Fold the dough in half and start sealing the ends. Repeat the same till all the dough is finished, this will take 30-35 minutes.
- Place the Kleicha on the baking tray. Brush all the Kleicha with the vegan wash before placing it into the oven.
- Place the tray on the middle rack and bake for 20 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to 150℃ and bake only the top for 10 minutes. It should be golden; that's when it is done.
- Serve with a green or black tea and enjoy!
Notes
Instead of Kleicha spice use 1/2 tablespoon cardamom powder plus 1/2 a tablespoon cinnamon powder.