Kuwaiti-inspired Spiced Date Pie

Ingredients

In this Kuwaiti-inspired version, the traditional mincemeat filling is replaced with a luscious mixture of dates, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. The spices add a warm and aromatic touch to the pie, while the dates provide a natural sweetness that perfectly complements the buttery pastry crust. We alse have the original recipe for Mince Pie, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (60ml) ice water 1/4 cup (60ml) ice water
• 2 cups (400g) pitted dates, chopped 2 cups (400g) pitted dates, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 52g, 32g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the ice water, a little at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a saucepan, combine the chopped dates, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the dates soften. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. 4.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
5. 5.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the rolled dough to the pie dish and trim any excess.
6. 6.
   Fill the pie crust with the cooled date mixture, spreading it evenly.
7. 7.
   Roll out the remaining dough and cut it into thin strips. Arrange the strips in a lattice pattern over the date filling.
8. 8.
   Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
9. 9.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dates — Make sure to chop the dates into small pieces to ensure a smooth and evenly distributed filling.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of indulgence, serve the pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
• If you prefer a stronger spice flavor, you can increase the amount of cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg according to your taste.
• To save time, you can use store-bought pie crust instead of making it from scratch.

Serving advice

Serve the Kuwaiti-inspired Spiced Date Pie warm as a delightful dessert after a traditional Kuwaiti meal. It pairs perfectly with a cup of aromatic Kuwaiti tea.

Presentation advice

Dust the pie with powdered sugar just before serving to add a touch of elegance. You can also garnish it with a sprig of fresh mint or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for a visually appealing presentation.