Authentic Iraqi Kleicha (Date or Walnut Filling)
Ingredients
🫓 Dough (1 Batch)
▢ 1 tbsp instant yeast
▢ 1 cup warm water
▢ 3 cups all-purpose flour + 4 tbsp (435g total)
▢ 1 tsp salt
▢ 1½ tbsp ground cardamom (freshly ground preferred)
▢ ½ cup vegetable oil (or olive oil)
▢ ½ cup melted unsalted butter
🌴 Date Filling (for 1 batch ~ 65 pieces)
▢ 1 kg date paste
▢ 2 tbsp unsalted butter
▢ ½ cup ground cinnamon
🌰 Walnut Filling (for 1 batch ~ 35 pieces)
▢ 150 g walnuts
▢ ½ tbsp ground cardamom (freshly ground preferred)
▢ ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g)
▢ 1 small egg (or ½ large egg)
🧴 For Baking
▢ 4 tbsp vegetable oil (for greasing tray)
▢ 1 small egg + 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
Instructions
🫓 To Make the Dough
1️⃣ In a small bowl, mix warm water with yeast and stir.
2️⃣ Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes until activated.
3️⃣ In a stand mixer bowl, add flour, salt, and ground cardamom. Mix to combine.
4️⃣ Add melted butter and vegetable oil. Mix with dough hook until the mixture looks like wet sand (about 5 minutes).
5️⃣ Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture.
6️⃣ Knead on medium speed for 5–7 minutes until a soft dough forms.
7️⃣ Scrape the bowl sides if needed. Dough is ready when it forms a smooth ball and the bowl becomes clean.
8️⃣ Cover and let the dough rise for 1 hour.
🌴 To Make Date Kleicha
9️⃣ Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place rack on bottom.
🔟 Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add date paste and stir for a few minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Remove and cool slightly.
1️⃣1️⃣ Place date paste on a large non-stick surface or greased parchment paper.
1️⃣2️⃣ Sprinkle cinnamon over the paste and knead until evenly mixed.
1️⃣3️⃣ Roll the date mixture into a thin sheet (~1/8 inch thick).
1️⃣4️⃣ Roll out the dough separately into a thin sheet (~1/8 inch thick).
1️⃣5️⃣ Break date paste into small pieces and spread evenly over the dough surface, leaving small gaps.
1️⃣6️⃣ Sprinkle remaining cinnamon over the surface.
1️⃣7️⃣ Cut dough lengthwise into two equal halves.
1️⃣8️⃣ Roll each half tightly into a log with dates inside.
1️⃣9️⃣ Cut logs into pieces (~¾ inch thick).
2️⃣0️⃣ Press a small indent in the center of each piece.
2️⃣1️⃣ Grease baking tray. Place pieces with space between them.
2️⃣2️⃣ Brush with egg wash.
2️⃣3️⃣ Bake 15–18 minutes until golden on the bottom.
2️⃣4️⃣ Broil for 2 minutes until lightly golden on top (watch carefully).
2️⃣5️⃣ Remove and cover with a towel to keep soft.
🌰 To Make Walnut Kleicha
2️⃣6️⃣ Crush walnuts into small pieces (not powder).
2️⃣7️⃣ Mix walnuts with cardamom, sugar, and egg until combined.
2️⃣8️⃣ Roll dough into thin sheet (~1/8 inch thick).
2️⃣9️⃣ Cut dough into 2-inch circles.
3️⃣0️⃣ Place walnut filling in center of each circle.
3️⃣1️⃣ Fold into half-moon shapes and seal edges.
3️⃣2️⃣ Optional: create braided edge pattern or simply press closed.
3️⃣3️⃣ Press a small indent in the center of each piece.
3️⃣4️⃣ Grease baking tray and arrange pieces with space.
3️⃣5️⃣ Brush with egg wash.
3️⃣6️⃣ Bake 15–18 minutes until golden on bottom.
3️⃣7️⃣ Broil 2 minutes (watch closely).
3️⃣8️⃣ Remove and cover with towel to keep soft.
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