Two recipes, one beloved tradition. Join us for a hands-on culinary experience celebrating the shared sweetness of Easter and Eid through one cherished ingredient: dates. Across the Arab world, holiday tables are filled with symbolic sweets that carry memory, meaning, and generations of tradition. In this special workshop, we’ll prepare two iconic date-filled cookies that reflect the beauty and diversity of our regions:

Ma’amool, from the Al-Sham (The Levant):
A delicate, buttery semolina cookie traditionally shaped in beautiful molds and dusted with powdered sugar. Tender and crumbly, ma’amoul is a staple of Easter and Eid gatherings across Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

MaqrouD, from Tunisia (North Africa):
A rich semolina pastry filled with the same sweet date paste, but shaped, baked or fried, and finished with honey or syrup. With its slightly crisp exterior and fragrant filling, makrout tells a different regional story while honoring the same core tradition.

Same sweet date filling featuring different techniques, textures, and histories passed down through generations. During this interactive class, you will:

• Learn traditional preparation techniques from both regions
  Work hands-on with dough, date paste, and shaping methods
• Discover the cultural and holiday significance behind each recipe
• Share stories and memories connected to these beloved sweets
• Bake, taste, and take home your creations

Whether you grew up making these cookies or are experiencing them for the first time, this workshop is an opportunity to connect through food, preserve cultural traditions, and celebrate the flavors that bring our communities together. Come bake, learn, make new friends, and honor the sweetness of our shared heritage.