Bradj Algerian Cookies Recipe

I recently made these delicious Algerian desserts.  My mother-in-law makes the best ones I have ever tried. My son has always told me to try and make them as these are one of his favourite! I never had the date paste to make them but once I knew how to make my own date paste then I had to give them a go! Here is the link to the date paste recipe: date-paste-recipe

I looked online for a bradj recipe and found one by a fellow blogger friend so I mainly followed her instructions, just omitting some of her ingredients. Here is my friend's original recipe link: bradj-algerian-semolina-orange-blossom

Ingredients:

• 3 Cups of semolina
• Half cup of melted butter
• Half cup of olive oil
• 1 cup of tepid water
• Pinch of salt
• Date Paste for filling.

Step 1: Mix the salt with the semolina then add the melted butter and mix with your hands.
Step 2: Pour the tepid water into the semolina slowly a little at a time and squeeze the semolina with the water, trying not to knead the mixture. The dough should not be sticky, just soft and workable.
Step 3: Make 2 equal shape balls with the dough. Then roll them out to make 2 large pieces. (about 1cm thick) - To make it easier to lift, I rolled the dough out onto flexible baking sheets.
Step 4: Spread the date paste all over one of the pieces evenly.
Step 5: Then place the 2nd piece over the top, so making a date sandwich!
Step 6: Then using a knife cut out the triangles or other shapes. (I did rectangle for this tutorial).
Step 7: You could add a design to the top by either scoring with a knife or imprinting with cookie cutters!
Step 8: I heated up the non-stick frying pan (you can use a cast iron pan or a tajine).
Step 9: Place the shaped cookies into the pan and cook until golden brown (3 minutes) then flip over and cook for a further 4 minutes.
Step 10: Once cooked place onto a cooling tray and they are ready to be eaten!

Once these are cooked they don't last long in our home. Below are some I made earlier using a diamond shape!