Batheeth is a traditional Emirati sweet snack made with flour and dates flavoured with ginger and cardamom. Served best with nuts and Arabic coffee.
Prep Time35 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time50 minutesmins
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: arabic, Emirati, middle eastern
Servings: 30cookies
Author: Famidha Ashraf
INGREDIENTS
For the dates mix
350gramsdate pastesee notes
½cupwhole wheat flouratta
50gramsbuttermelted
½teaspooncardamom powder
½teaspoonground ginger
¼teaspooncinnamon powder
1teaspoon rose water
1 pinchsalt
chopped nutsoptional
sesame seedsoptional
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the wheat flour to a heavy-bottomed saucepan and toast over low to medium heat, stirring constantly until golden brown. Approximately 10 minutes. Remove from heat and keep aside.
½ cup whole wheat flour
Stir the ground spices into the toasted flour.
½ teaspoon cardamom powder, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
Add the date paste, melted butter and rose water. Using your clean hands, thoroughly mix without any traces of flour.
350 grams date paste, 50 grams butter, 1 teaspoon rose water, 1 pinch salt
Add back to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes to soften the mixture to warm. Use a wooden spatula to keep breaking the lumps.
Remove from heat and add the chopped nuts, if using. Start shaping it while still warm to the touch.
chopped nuts, sesame seeds
Serve with black Arabic coffee and store the remaining in an airtight box for two days and refrigerate for longer.
Notes
Shaping: You can either make balls or leave them as crumbs. Use any mould to make shapes. You may roll the balls in sesame seeds to coat or flatten them and press in an almond.DIY Date paste: Use at least 20 to 30 large dates. Place the pitted dates in a bowl and cover them with warm water. Allow them to soak for about 15-30 minutes. After soaking, drain the dates, reserving a bit of the soaking water. Begin blending the dates, adding small amounts of the reserved water. Continue blending until the dates are fully pureed and no large chunks remain. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor occasionally to ensure even blending. Transfer it to a clean, airtight container for storage. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.