Kleicha (Iraqi Date-Filled Cardamom Cookies)

Instructions

1. Stir the yeast into the warm water and let stand 5 minutes.
2. Mix the flour, salt and cardamom, then rub in the oil and melted butter until the mixture looks like wet sand. Add the yeast water and knead 5 to 7 minutes into a smooth dough. Cover and rest 1 hour.
3. Warm the date paste with the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat 3 minutes, then cool. Knead in most of the cinnamon.
4. Roll the date paste between two sheets of parchment to a rectangle 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. Roll the dough to about the same thickness.
5. Lay the date paste on the dough in pieces, leaving small gaps, and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon.
6. Roll up tightly from one long edge, cut the roll in half and roll each into a log. Flatten the logs slightly.
7. Slice into 3/4-inch (2 cm) pieces and poke two small holes in the top of each with a skewer. Heat the oven to 425 F (220 C).
8. Arrange on a greased sheet 1/4 inch apart, brush with the egg wash and bake 15 to 18 minutes until golden underneath. Cover with a towel while cooling to keep them soft.