Gluten Free Klaicha Date Filled Cookies
Klaichas are a national treat from iraq. Traditionally, they press them into special moulds similar to tabis, but i just press them with the prongs of a fork. I have used rapadura sugar to sweeten the dough, and using rice, tapioca and buckwheat flours to make these treats gluten free and more like shortbreads. You could also use some sorghum flour instead of some of the rice flour. That works really well too. I have also made some yummy versions using almond flour, which is a more nutritious alternative, but i found it a bit overpowering for klaicha, and was too much of a departure from the personality of the original cookies. Now, these are not the most healthy blender recipes i have posted! Julia child and her “you can never have enough butter” approach found its way into my kitchen with these. But, you just can’t make really delectable shortbread without the magic of butter. But they are tiny – yes! I challenge you to stop at just one!
Steps
Sift flours and xanthan into a mixing bowl and combine well.
Add in the sugar and mix evenly.
Cut room temperature butter into small pieces and rub into flour with finger.
I do this in a food processor and just keep pulsing until the butter is evenly distributed and there are no clumps.
Dont walk away and leave the machine on or you will end up with a butter ball.
Mix the rose water with the filtered water and sprinkle onto flour mixture.
Pulse again to form a firm dough and then knead lightly until smooth.
Cover the dough with cling film and rest for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile make the filling chop the dates and then gently heat them on low with the butter , stirring until the dates have softened about 5 10 minutes , depending on your dates.
Remove from the heat and set aside.
Roll the dough into small round balls about the size of a large walnut or tablespoon.
Flatten each ball like a pancake in the palm of your hand and place a teaspoonful of the date filling in the ce.
Ingredients
buckwheat flour, tapioca flour, brown rice flour, rice flour, xanthan gum, sea salt, sugar, butter, rose water, water, pitted dates