Preparation

• Step 1

  Preheat the oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Step 2

  Place the date paste and butter in a medium bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Mix until evenly combined and easy to work with. Add 30 seconds at a time in the microwave if needed. (Alternatively, heat in a small pan on the stove).

• Step 3

  On a clean work surface, roll out one fourth of the dough into a ⅙” circle. Using a 3” diameter glass, cut circles in the dough. Reserve the leftover dough between the circles for k’aakat (see headnote).

• Step 4

  Place 1 ½ teaspoons of the date mixture in the center of each circle. Gather the edges of the circle to the center and pinch closed making a small parcel. Then flip so the seam is down and flatten into a disc with the palm of your hand. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining filling and dough.

• Step 5

  Lightly brush each cookie with the egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

• Step 6

  Using the handle of a wooden spoon dipped in the egg wash, make 3 holes in each cookie (to release any air pockets).

• Step 7

  Bake, rotating the pan halfway through, until golden brown, 20-24 minutes (baking time will be longer if you bake more than one sheet of cookies at a time).

• Step 8

  Let cool, then serve or freeze until serving.