Maamoul (walnut or Date Filled Semolina Cookies)

Makes 25 Maamoul. Do not expect the dough to be cohesive but it will be damp enough to form into balls to pack into the cookie molds. This recipe needs to be started a day ahead. Melt shortening and butter together or use all butter if you wish a richer cookie. cool slightly. Mix flour, semolina, salt, baking powder and sugar together. Rub melted shortening into dough with fingertips until it is like fine soft meal. Cover bowl and let it rest overnight. Combine flower waters with 7 tablespoons water and sprinkle over the dough. Toss lightly with a fork to distribute liquid evenly. Mix until just combined, like pie dough. (another person says to knead the dough well). Dust maamoul molds well with flour. Invert and tap gently to remove excess flour. Estimate the amount of dough need to fill maamoul mold and make a ball of dough. Flatten it out slightly and place a good tablespoon of filling in center. Close dough around filling to cover it. Pack ball into mold. Level off cookie even with the lip of the mold. Be sure you have not revealed filling or it will stick to the pan as it bakes. Tap cookies out onto the work area with a sharp firm hit to the top of the mold. Transfer cookies to baking sheet with a spatula. Bake at 300 to 325deg F about 12 minutes, until barely colored. Cool. Sprinkle or rub with confectioners sugar before serving. WALNUT OR PISTACHIO FILLING 1 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts or pistachios 2 Tablespoons orange flower water 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon Mix well together. DATE FILLING 1 1/2 cups chopped dates 6 tablespoons cutter Cook dates with butter over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Mash occasionally until dates are completely pureed. Cool before filling. Date filling is traditionally used with a flat maamoul mold, rather than the rounded variety.