Haloua with Raisins

Some delicious baked goods...

A pot of tea, Hmm?

It's Tea Time!

Haloua is a North African cookie made in both Morocco and Algeria. Like any sweet or tea cookie I can think of from these countries, it is delicious. The outside is a butter cookie that hides an interior of raisins and nuts mashed with cinnamon and orange blossom water. There is almost nothing better I can think of save maybe date haloua! Oh, and the only sugar used in this cookie is the powdered sugar in which they are rolled. And one can use Earth Balance buttery spread instead of butter (both are excellent), which renders a vegan cookie. Enjoy with tea or something nice and hot!

Haloua with Raisins:

1 1/3 cups of flour

1 stick plus two tablespoons of butter

2 tablespoons orange blossom water

Filling:

3/4 Cups raisins

3/4 Cups toasted walnuts or almonds

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

2-3 teaspoons of orange blossom water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a food processor, place the dates, nuts, cinnamon and orange blossom water. Blend till you get a nice paste. Set aside.

For the pastry, cut the flour with the butter until mixture is crumbly. Add the orange blossom water to pull into a dough. Gently work into a smooth dough. Make quarter size balls and flatten in the palm of your hand enough to place some mixture in the middle. Pull the dough over the mixture and crimp the dough together.

Place the cookies on a baking dish and bake for about 15 min. Allow to cool and rub in powdered sugar or sprinkle through a sifter. Enjoy!