Ingredients:

Dough:

1 3/5 cups white bread flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 Tbsp fine sea salt

4 Tbsp unsalted butter softened and diced

3 1/2 tsp dried yeast

1 1/4 water at body temperature

1 Tbsp molasses

Method:

1  Sift the flours and salt into a large bowl. Some grains from whole wheat will be caught in the sifter or sieve; tip them into the bowl. Rub the butter, and make a well in the center. Dissolve the yeast in 2 Tbsp water, then pour into the well in the flour, along with the molasses and enough of the remaining water to form a smooth dough.

2  Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 10-15 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic. Leave the dough to rise in a lightly oiled bowl covered with a damp dish towel for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

3  Punch down the dough, then knead it on a lightly floured surface for 2-3 minutes. Roll dough into a 14 x 8" rectangle. Place on greased baking sheet. Spread date filling in 3" strip lengthwise on center of rectangle. At each side of filling cut from edge of dough to filling at 2" intervals. You will have 7 strips on each side.

4  Bring strips from opposite sides to center, crossing them and then tucking in on sides. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 30-45 minutes.

5  Preheat oven to 420*F

6  Bake for 30-35 minutes, until it is golden. Cool on a wire rack. 

7  Frost with Confectioners Sugar Frosting while still warm.

Date Filling:

 25-30 dates pitted and chopped

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1/4 brown sugar

3-4 Tbsp water

Combine all ingredients in a pan and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly until spreading constantly. 

Confectioners Sugar Frosting:

1 cup sifted confectioners sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

dash of salt

few spoons of milk or light cream

Stir first three ingredients and add in enough milk or cream to make mixture of spreading consistency. Spread on the bread while still warm.  

Note: You can add shredded carrots and raisins if dates are not enough for the filling. Carrots have to be cooked first before adding the rest of the date filling ingredients as, carrots take a little longer to cook. 

Ma aSsalaama

Shaima