532- Fekkas with Date Paste / الفقاص بعجينة التمر

Ingredients :

Basic Fekkas Dough Ingredients:
Refer to Fekkas With Almonds recipe Filling Ingredients
320 grams (11.2 oz.) date paste
25 grams (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Egg Wash:
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water (or just water)

Directions :

Step 1: Mixing The Wet Ingredients
Follow the instructions in the Fekkas With Almonds recipe.

Step 2: Adding The Dry Ingredients
1- Add the flour and baking powder.
2- Continue mixing until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

3- If necessary, add more flour and keep kneading the dough until you get a smooth dough that does not stick to your fingers but at the same it is not dry.
4- Divide the dough into 3 portions.

Step 3: Preparing The Filling
5- Heat the date paste for 30 seconds in the microwave so it is easier to manipulate. Combine with the butter and cinnamon.

6- Mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 4: Shaping The Logs
7- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll out each dough into a rectangle.

8- The rectangle should be around 20x25cm (8×10 inches) with a 2mm thickness.
9- Cut small portions of the filling and flatten them using your fingers.

10- Gently place the filling pieces on top of the rolled dough. Make sure to cover all the surface of the dough.
11- With the longest side facing you, roll the dough as if you were rolling a carpet.

12- Place the three dough rolls in a baking pan covered with parchment paper.

Step 5: First Baking
Follow the instructions in the Fekkas With Almonds recipe.
Bake for about 25-30 minutes. Wrap a damp towel and let set overnight for at least 10 to 12 hours.

Step 6: Slicing The Rolls
13- The next day, remove the towel from the rolls and cut each one into straight 0.5 cm (1/4 inches) slices.

14- Press lightly on the sides of the roll when slicing to help minimize breakage.

Step 7: Second Baking
15- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the Fekkas slices in a baking pan covered with parchment paper.
16- Bake for about 15 minutes until the Fekkas have a light golden color.

Let cool completely before serving.