A traditional Iraqi crumbly dough swirl filled with dates – these kleicha date cookies are packed with flavour and are the perfect accompaniment to your cup of tea!
I grew up eating Kleicha. They were (and still are) my favourite sweet treats and definitely my favourite type of cookie. Date paste spiced with cardamom and cinnamon wrapped in a crumbly pastry, what’s not to love?! These Iraqi date cookies are similar to ma’moul, also date cookies popular throughout Middle Eastern countries but the dough is slightly different. Please don’t come at me for saying this, but of course I’m going to be biased and say I think the Iraqi version is so much better.
Traditionally, kleicha is made of white flour, butter and yeast, but I made mine healthier and gluten-free by using a mixture of ground almonds and rice flour (or you can use spelt flour, but they won’t be gluten-free). My version also has no added sugar in the dough or the filling! The dates are sweet enough that I didn’t feel the need to add any extra sugar. I also used coconut oil instead of butter to make the recipe dairy-free and vegan.
If you’ve never tired these Iraqi cookies before, you need to give them ago. They’re great if you want a healthier dessert that’s so tasty and sweet without needing to add any sugar. There’s also a fair bit of fibre in there from the dates and healthy fats from the almonds.
Kleicha – Date Cookies (كليجة)
Makes – 25-30
Ingredients
For the dough
1 cup (100g) ground almonds
1 1/4 cup (140g) rice flour (or you can use wholemeal spelt flour)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
80ml (1/3 cup/5 tbsp) coconut oil, melted
80ml (1/3 cup/5 tbsp) milk of choice
For the date filling
250g soft dates
120ml (1/2 cup) water + more if needed
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cardamom
Pinch of salt
Sesame seeds to top
Method
Preheat your oven to 180C/160C fan/ 350F
Start by making the filling – add the dates and water to a pan and cook over a low/medium heat whilst mashing the dates with the back of a wooden spoon. Continue adding water until you have a smooth, but still thick and sticky mixture. You want it to be just thin enough to spread
In a large bowl, mix together the ground almonds, rice flour, salt and spices.
Add the melted coconut and milk and mix to form a dough*
Divide the dough in half, and roll out between 2 pieces of baking paper into a rectangle (28cmx18cm), then spread the date filling over the dough leaving the edges clear.
Now start rolling – take one side of the dough and use the parchment paper to roll the dough into a log.
Freeze the logs for 30 minutes to make them easier to slice.
Using a sharp knife, slice into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Carefully transfer the cookies onto a baking sheet. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top.
Bake for around 20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
Leave to cool completely, then enjoy!
Notes
* If the dough is too soft, refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to make it easier to roll
** I like to store mine in the fridge – they taste so much better in my opinion and the texture is so much better as well ?
These look amazing!
Could I use normal or wholewheat flour instead of rice flour as I only need them to be dairy free!
Thanks!
Thank you Megan 😀 You could try plain or wholemeal flour, I haven’t tried it myself but they should work 🙂
So fabulous that these are GF too! How yummy!
Thank you lovely Rebecca 😀
i am looking for kleicha recipe for long
thank you may i buy the kleicha from you ready?
Wow, these look delicious. Not made anything like this before rolled up and I love the idea of them being both gluten and dairy free!
They’re so good Ceri, admittedly not as good as the traditional unhealthier (but not too unhealthy :P) cookies. Dates and cardamom are so perfect for each other!
These look tasty, I don’t think I would be able to eat just one. GF! Dairy Free! Now that’s my kind of cookie!
Thank you Mary 😀 you should see how quick my husband and I go through them 😛 but it’s ok to have two (or five!) because they’re healthy 😛
Mmmm, date cookies for real? Wow, Nadia! These look astoundingly yummy and full of awesome goodness of dates!Loving theses! 🙂
Thank you Anupama 😀 they really are so good, if I do so myself 😛 so happy with the way they turned out!
Oh Nadia, these look and sound so so good! Beautiful images too. Pinning and sharing 🙂
Thank you Kellie 😀 They’re so addictive though 😛
I’ve really come to love dates these last few years! These cookies look fantastic!
I grew up eating and loving dates, it’s my favourite ingredient to use in desserts and baking 🙂
How am I not following you?!?! This is such an adorable recipe that looks so delicious and healthy!
I’ve seen, but never had these! They look amazing! Pinned!
Oh these sound and look very tasty! I like that you’ve made them gluten and dairy free too!
Thanks for linking my cookies!
How fortuitous that I discovered your blog before Eid this week! These look amazing 🙂 Day. Made.
Eid Mubarak!
Yay! So glad you found me 😀 I hope you try making the kleicha, if you do you have to let me know how it goes! Eid Mubarak to you too! 🙂
These sound delicious. My husband loves anything with dates in, so I am going to make some at the weekend.
Same here! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Hey! Nadia, they look amazing! I am gonna try them this eid! I bought all the ingredients. But little confused about whether to put cocoa powder in date and water mixture or in the dry ingredients?please let me know:-) and Eid Mubarak! To you and your family!
Hi Momina 🙂 yay fantastic! The cocoa goes into date mixture, sorry if that wasn’t clear. I’ve amended the post so there is no more confusion 🙂 You’ll have to let me know how it goes! Eid Mubarak to you too and your family 😀
Hey! Nadia!… thank you for answering my question:-).. they are in the oven right now.. the only issue I had was the dough was breaking alot and I dont know how they will turn out because when I rolled it in..it started breaking. Any ideas on how to fix this problem.. I will appreciate it alott:-) I am sure they will taste great! just worried about the shape and cut
Hmm…did you let the dough chill in the fridge? Because there is no eggs in there the dough can be quite fragile but when it’s cold it’s so much easier to handle. How did they turn out?
Turned out the yummiest cookies me and my husband ever had! They were bigger than the ones in the picture but still tasted great! I guess practice
will make it perfect!
Thank you Nadia:-) you are amazing! Posted the picture on instagram
That’s fantastic Momina! I’m so so pleased you and your husband liked them 😀 The first time I made this recipe they didn’t turn out as good so yeah, practice definitely makes perfect 😀
There are beautiful Nadia!I’ve never tired Kleicha before, but they sound amazing. I looove dates, and all of the spices they’re mixed with sound delicious. I can’t believe they’re so healthy too. I definitely need to try these! 🙂
Thank you, Harriet 😀 they’re my favourite cookies ever! 😀 dates and cardamom are the perfect match! Hope you do try them 🙂
Hi Harriet,
I just found this recipe and was just wondering which rice flour you are using – white rice flour or brown rice flour?
Thank you,
Carolin
hi Carolin 🙂 I used white rice flour. Let me know if you try them! x
These are currently baking in the oven & they smell so good!I’ll let you know how it tastes when the cookies finish cooking. Quick question: do you have an ebook full of Iraqi/ middle eastern cuisine? If not, will you be making one?
Fantastic! How did they turn out? Hope you enjoy them 😀 I don’t have any Middle Eastern ebooks, but you’ve just inspired me to create my own! 😀
These cookies look amazing!!
Thank you Ami 😀
Never tried these before but always thought they sounded SO good. I can’t get enough of Middle Eastern flavours… and in a cookie? Even better!
I am so glad I came across this recipe! My boyfriend used to live in Iraq and he grew up eating these. I think if I make these healthier date cookies he will be very happy! 🙂
Wow, Nadia, I’m so happy to have discovered your blog. Middle Eastern treats have always had a special place in my heart — and these cookies are no exception. They look incredible! ♥
[…] Healthy Kitchen made these traditional Middle Eastern Date Cookies spiced with cardamom and cinnamon. They’re gluten-free, vegan and so […]
Oh, I’m so excited to make these. I used to make these for Ramadan and we ate them at iftar (instead of plain dates), but when we moved, it was one recipe that didn’t come with me (I can’t even imagine why! Well, most of our house didn’t come either.) I’m now gluten-free and will be making them tomorrow to get ready for Ramadan. Thank you so much and I look forward to exploring your blog more.
These came out wonderfully! I love cardamom and Middle Eastern desserts. The crumb of the kleicha is delicate and the sweetness just right, a very elegant cookie. I will make these again. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Hi Nadia
I’m also an Iraqi and grew up on kleicha! They are the best!!
I look forward to trying these out!!
Reem x
Thank you Reem 🙂 Kleichas are the best! 😀 you’ll have to come back and let me know what you think of them once you’ve tried them!
Ooo Nadia. I actually have a kulicha recipe on my fridge… but a regular version that I make so hubby feels like he’s at home! ☺ I love your healthy version – it’s one recipe I’d not yet considered making healthy (as it wasn’t something I’d grown up with). Thinking I might go and make these now (Eid’s a bit of a wait)! Thank you!
I am planning to make these for my Iraqi student to celebrate Eid next week. I will let you know if he says they taste anything like what he would have had back home.
Hello!
Can I sub the flour with something else
Like oat flour and chickpea flour??
I haven’t tried oat or chickpea flour to make this recipe so I can’t say for sure if they would work. Different flours behave differently – they absorb different amounts of fluid and give different textures. If you do try either of them let me know how it turns out! 🙂
These are really yummy! I didn’t have rice flour at home so I used Besan flour instead. Yum!!!
Can you leave the dough in the fridge for longer? Or is it bad?
Hi
Thank you for a great recipe! I have always loved and baked date cookies and since I moved to gluten free these are the cookies that I miss the most. I made these and they turned out to be really good. Straight from the fridge like you suggested. I wanted to ask if you ever tried to bake them in one piece and cut after. This is what I usually do with regular flour.
Thanks
These came out GREAT! we finished the batch way too quickly and I’m about to make another!
So glad you liked them, Dee 😀 Kleicha never lasts in my house either ? x
Hi! I love these soooo much.
Just one thing- I follow your instructions to a T and roll them like u said but I never get 18… Any idea why? I’m completely baffled….
Thanks!
I like your recipes.
Thank you 😀
I followed the recipe and it turned out GREAT and so yummy!
Thanks for the recipe, it’s a new family favourite.
So glad you and your family enjoyed them Brigitte 😀 Thank you for your feedback! xx
Just made these cookies, the taste is amazing. Love that it is gluten free and refined sugar free. Very easy to make. Thank you so much for this recipe!
So glad you enjoyed them Maria 😀 x
Can I use gluten free blend or oats instead of the almonds and rice flour? I’m
I haven’t tried ground oats for this recipe, but it might work. I’ll have to give it a go and get back to you 🙂
Still making these in 2021.
Love them! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Aw so glad you’re still enjoying them, Louisa 😀 xx
Hello Nadia! thank you for sharing this great recipe. Can’t wait to make it for Eid. Kindly share if it’s ok to use white rice flour or does it have to be brown rice flour (as you shared the product link)?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Aisha 🙂 white rice flour would work just as well! Brown rice flour is what I had at the time. Let me know if you try them 😀 x
These were so delicious and easy. I even ate one before it was baked and it was amazing. I subbed hazelnuts for almonds. I would love to try it with a dried fig filling next time.
You know, they would actually make a really nice no-bake recipe too chilled in the fridge! Must try it next time. And yes, figs would work beautifully too ? Thanks for your feedback Lila x
How can I get this products please?
Hi Yahaya – I don’t sell these unfortunately. I only provide the recipes for you to make at home 🙂
Thanks for this lovely recipe. I made them in a ma’amoul mold and they were perfect 🙂
So glad you enjoyed them 😀 I need to try them in moulds next time!
Omg dairy free and gluten free Kletcha!!!! I can’t wait to make this. As a vegan Iraqi I’ve been gracing kletcha for such a long time. Thank you for this amazing recipe
So glad you found my recipe Saf 😀 Let me know if you try them!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT ❤️❤️ Quick and easy to make. One day and they are gone ??. I truly recommend it. Absolute staple in my kitchen.
Aw I’m so glad you enjoyed them Aga 😀 Thank you for your feedback! xx
Cannot wait to try these always looking for a way to use Cardamom. Look delicious love no added sugar! Thank you for sharing this recipe
Please clarify amount of almonds as 1 cup is not 100 grams ?
Hi Ava 🙂 I’m using 1 cup of ground almonds (not almond flour), which is 100g.
I just made these today, and they turned out great!! The Pinterest post shows cocoa powder on the ingredient list, but I didn’t see it here on your page so didn’t include it. Should I have? They’re still fabulous even without it, but guess I should try it? Also, I found it difficult to roll the dough up tightly, so mine don’t look as pretty as yours, but again- taste so good! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!
Hi Susan 🙂 So glad you enjoyed them! I sometimes add cocoa to the mix, but it’s not traditionally used so I decided to remove it from the recipe. You can try adding a tbsp next time if you like, but it’s not essential!
Subbed melted butter for the coconut oil but it wasn’t a successful substitute :'( The dough was very crumbly and broke apart when cutting slices from the roll. There were white spots on the logs (solidified butter, probably) so I may have had an issue in the mixing stage. Might try again after getting coco oil!
I only had liquid coconut oil and they came out a bit crumbly. I definitely couldn’t roll them as thin as you. I’ll have to get some of the solid type.
These are delicious – thank you. I didn’t have rice flour, so went to use spelt flour, but by mistake I used the wrong packet and so my ones were made with buckwheat flour and ground almonds, instead. They were really good, tho’, and also gluten-free.
Amazing! I haven’t tired this recipe with buckwheat flour, so it’s good to know it also works well! Glad you enjoyed them and thank you for your feedback 😀 x
These are delicious – thank you. I didn’t have rice flour, so went to use spelt flour, but by mistake I used the wrong packet and so my ones were made with buckwheat flour and ground almonds, instead. They were really good, tho’, and also gluten-free.