Ingredients
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1 ½ pounds butter
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4 cups white sugar
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1 cup water
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9 cups semolina flour
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8 cups all-purpose flour
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¼ cup black sesame seeds
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1 ½ tablespoons quick rise yeast
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 teaspoon ground mahleb
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½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
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½ teaspoon ground cloves
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½ teaspoon ground cardamom
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½ teaspoon allspice
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nonstick spray
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¼ cup rose water
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¼ cup orange flower water
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1 cup warm water
Directions
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Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in sugar and water; continue stirring to dissolve sugar. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
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Measure flours into a large bowl. Add melted butter mixture, sesame seeds, yeast, cinnamon, mahleb, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, and allspice; stir slowly for about 10 minutes to thoroughly blend ingredients. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave dough in the bowl to rest for 1 hour.
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Grease 3 baking sheets with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
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Pour rose water and orange flower water into a small bowl. Pour warm water into a second small bowl.
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Transfer dough to a floured board or work surface. Pull off about 1 cup dough. Dip your fingers in warm water and knead dough for a few minutes; dip dough in flower water and knead again until dough is soft and pliable.
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Use the palm of your hand to roll dough into a rope 12 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Cut rope in half and make a wreath-shaped cookie with each piece, pinching the ends together. Place on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover cookies with a clean towel and place in the refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove baking sheets from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature while the oven preheats.
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Bake cookies in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Editor's Note
Mahleb is a spice made from ground black cherry pits (from a type of tree that grows in the Near East, not North America). It is used to flavor baked goods with a subtle, sweet/nutty taste and can be found in Greek or Middle Eastern ethnic markets.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 198 | Calories |
| 10g | Fat |
| 26g | Carbs |
| 2g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 60 | |
| Calories 198 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 10g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol 24mg | 8% |
| Sodium 66mg | 3% |
| Total Carbohydrate 26g | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 2% |
| Total Sugars 13g | |
| Protein 2g | 4% |
| Calcium 12mg | 1% |
| Iron 1mg | 5% |
| Potassium 31mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
