Full of spices and nuts and bits of sweet date paste, these Paleo Spiced Date Walnut Cookies are the ultimate treat. They're quick and easy to make, and they pack a punch of flavor in each bite. They’re Paleo, Sugar Free, Gluten Free, and Dairy Free, so indulge and enjoy!
These Paleo Sugar Free Spiced Date Walnut Cookies are so full of flavor in every bite. They’re a riff on the classic Ma’amoul Cookies found all over the Middle East and typically eaten for special holidays. My recipe for Ma’amoul Cookies is streamlined and so much faster than the traditional method of making them, plus it’s Sugar Free and Gluten Free and Dairy Free.
That’s great! But…
I wanted a Ma’amoul Cookie that was Paleo and where the sweetness of the dates was more evenly distributed throughout each mouthful of cookie. This recipe for Paleo Sugar Free Spiced Date Walnut Cookies follows the form of an American Chocolate Chip Cookie, but instead of chocolate, there are bits of date paste dotted throughout along with chopped walnuts and plenty of spices. And it’s made with almond flour, so this cookie boasts two different nuts to complement all of the spices and the dates.
In the Middle East, Ma’amoul Cookies are usually eaten after a long fast, so for Muslims, that’s Ramadan, and for Christians, that’s Easter. But I crave warming spices like cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, and cloves around the winter holidays in the United States. They’re perfect for cooler days (or downright freezing days) and snowy evenings.
I hope you’ll give these a try and spice up (literally!) your usual cookie menu. I’m sure they’ll quickly become a favorite in your home just like they did in our home.
Why You’ll LOVE this Recipe:
- Paleo
- Sugar Free
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Easy and quick to make
- Full of protein and fiber
Ingredients for Paleo Sugar Free Spiced Date Walnut Cookies:
- walnuts
- almond flour
- ground cardamom
- ground nutmeg
- ground mahlab
- baking powder
- Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks
- liquid stevia
- orange blossom water
- egg yolk
- date paste
- ground cloves
- ground star anise
- ground cinnamon
- vegetable oil
- coconut flour
Notes on Ingredients:
Orange blossom water – You can find this in the Middle Eastern section of a grocery store or online here. It gives a wonderful perfume to the cookies which is essential.
Mahlab – This is an amazing spice that is made from grinding the seed kernels of the pits of cherries. It has a warm fragrance that is also slightly perfumed and floral. It can be found in Middle Eastern grocery stores or online here. However, if you can’t find it, just leave it out entirely.
Date paste – You can find packages of date paste in Middle Eastern grocery stores. The paste should be completely free of pits, and it should be very soft when you open it.
Star anise – I couldn’t find star anise already ground in any grocery store. So I just bought the whole star anise pods, and then I ground them myself using this coffee grinder which I use as spice grinder. If that seems like too much work to do, just leave it out. The cookies will still be full of warm spices and flavor. Or, you can purchase ground star anise online here.
How to Make Paleo Sugar Free Spiced Date Walnut Cookies From Scratch
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat mats.
In a food processor, grind the walnuts first.
In a large bowl, combine the ground walnuts, almond flour, cardamom, nutmeg, mahlab, and baking powder. Mix with your hands until combined.
Add the softened Earth Balance, stevia, orange blossom water, and egg yolk. Use your hands to mix everything until completely combined.
In a separate bowl, use your hands to mix the date paste with the cloves, star anise, cinnamon, and vegetable oil. Place the spiced date paste mixture on a cutting board. Use a knife to cut the date paste mixture into small pieces. Toss the small pieces of date paste in the coconut flour.
Add the date pieces to the walnut dough and mix until the date pieces are evenly distributed.
Shape the dough into 1” balls and place on the prepared baking sheets. Dampen the palm of your hand and gently flatten each ball.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Paleo Sugar Free Spiced Date Walnut Cookies
Ingredients
- 100 g ground walnuts
- 175 g almond flour
- 2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground mahlab
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks, 1 stick, softened
- 2 teaspoon liquid stevia
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
- 1 egg yolk
- 14 oz. date paste
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground star anise
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ cup coconut flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat mats.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground walnuts, almond flour, cardamom, nutmeg, mahlab, and baking powder. Mix with your hands until combined.
- Add the softened Earth Balance, stevia, orange blossom water, and egg yolk. Use your hands to mix everything until completely combined.
- In a separate bowl, use your hands to mix the date paste with the cloves, star anise, cinnamon, and vegetable oil. Use a knife to cut the date paste mixture into small pieces. Toss the small pieces of date paste in the coconut flour.
- Add the date pieces to the walnut dough and mix until the date pieces are evenly distributed.
- Shape the dough into 1” balls and place on the prepared baking sheets. Dampen the palm of your hand and gently flatten each ball.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
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