913- Coconut Ghriba / غريبة جوز الهند

Ingredients :

For the dough
150 grams (1 2/3 cup) dried unsweetened coconut, finely shredded
50 grams (1/3 cup) semolina
50 grams (1/2 cup) powdered sugar
5 grams (1 teaspoon) baking powder
A pinch of salt
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon orange blossom water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or vanilla sugar)
2 tablespoons apricot jam

For shaping the ghriba
Extra orange blossom water for rolling the cookies
Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions :

1- In a large bowl, combine by hands the eggs, vegetable oil, orange blossom water, vanilla extract, and apricot jam. Mix well until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
2- Add the dried coconut, semolina, powdered sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt then mix until you get a smooth moist dough. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for 10 minutes.
3- To shape the cookies, wet your hands with a little orange blossom water, take some of the coconut dough and make balls the size of a walnut.
4- Flatten each ball slightly, dip one side into the powdered sugar, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure to leave space between the cookies as they expand when baking.
5- Bake in a preheated oven to 180°C /356°F for 15 minutes or until the cookies have a light golden color. Let the cookies cool completely before serving.