Chrissy Y The holidays are fast approaching, and with them come all the nostalgic aromas, joyful gatherings, and—of course—the treasured family recipes that make the season truly special.
But if you’re living gluten-free, this time of year can feel a little bittersweet. You watch your loved ones enjoy their favorite cinnamon-spiced, date-filled cookies—those traditional Kuleche treats passed down for generations—while you sit on the sidelines, unable to indulge.
Year after year, it can be disheartening to miss out on such a meaningful part of the holiday celebration. But not this year!
I’m so excited to share a recipe that’s near and dear to my heart: a gluten-free version of our beloved Kuleche cookies! This recipe has been a true labor of love, created with my mom and sisters, as we set out to recreate the magic of our favorite holiday cookie in a way that’s safe and delicious for those of us who can’t tolerate gluten.
These gluten-free Kuleche cookies capture all the warm, spiced goodness and sweet, date-filled joy of the original—without compromising flavor or tradition. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Easter, or simply want to bring a little more comfort and joy into your kitchen, this recipe is your invitation to indulge right alongside your family this season.
Get ready to make new memories and bring the spirit of tradition back into your holiday baking—gluten-free and full of love.
What Are Kleicha?
Kleicha (or Kuleche, as it’s sometimes spelled in different regions and dialects) is more than just a cookie—it’s a symbol of heritage, celebration, and resilience, steeped in thousands of years of history. Its roots trace all the way back to ancient Mesopotamia—modern-day Iraq—where early civilizations like the Sumerians began making simple pastries using dates, spices, and grains. These were ingredients not only abundant in the region but also deeply symbolic, often used in offerings and feasts during religious ceremonies and seasonal festivals.
In these early times, dates were considered a sacred fruit, and spices like cardamom and cinnamon were prized for both their flavor and their spiritual significance. The combination of these ingredients gave birth to early versions of pastries that would eventually evolve into what we now know as kleicha.
As centuries passed, the tradition of making these spiced date-filled pastries was lovingly preserved and passed down from generation to generation. Each era, each region, and each family added its own unique touch—some folding in rosewater or orange blossom, others shaping the cookies differently or experimenting with nut fillings and decorative stamps. Despite these variations, the heart of the cookie remained the same: a tender pastry wrapped around a fragrant, sweet filling, prepared and shared during times of joy and reflection.
Today, kleicha is proudly recognized as the national cookie of Iraq, a culinary gem that brings together the country’s diverse cultural tapestry—from ancient Mesopotamian roots to Arab, Kurdish, Assyrian, and Turkmen influences. It’s especially cherished during holidays like Christmas, Easter, and other religious celebrations where its warm spices and sweet dates evoke a sense of home and belonging, no matter where in the world you are.
So, when you bake kleicha, you’re not just making cookies—you’re honoring centuries of tradition, telling a story that has been shaped by love, memory, and celebration. And with this gluten-free version, you can now be part of that story too, creating your own delicious chapter while staying true to your health and dietary needs.
Needed Equipment:
Some special equipment is necessary to make this process simple and uniform. It may take some time and patience to prepare both the cookie dough and filling. However, once that is done, the rest of the process is a piece of cake.
- Large mixing bowl – For combining the dough ingredients.
- Medium and small mixing bowls – For preparing each of the three different fillings.
- Whisk – To mix the dry ingredients evenly.
- Sturdy spoon or silicone spatula – For mixing the dough together.
- Measuring cups and spoons – To measure both wet and dry ingredients accurately.
- Kitchen scale (optional) – Useful if you want to be extra precise with dough and filling portions.
- Plastic wrap or parchment paper – To wrap and chill the dough.
- Rolling pin (optional) – If you want to roll the dough before shaping (some prefer hand-flattening).
- Decorative cookie cutter – Traditional for shaping and imprinting the Kuleche design.
- Baking sheet – To bake the cookies.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – To line the baking sheet for easy cleanup and even baking.
- Wire cooling rack – For cooling the cookies evenly after baking.
- Knife or kitchen scissors – To trim Turkish Delight pieces if needed.
- Hands! – This is a very hands-on, tactile recipe, especially when using the hand-flattening method or pressing dough into cookie molds.
Gluten Free Kleicha (Traditional Chaldean Cookies)
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 Cups Almond Flour
- 3 Cups Gluten-free flour
- ½ Cup Grass-fed Butter, softened
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 1 Egg White
- 1 tbsp Ground cardamom
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Baking Soda
Walnut Filling
- 1 Cup Crushed Walnuts
- 2 tbsp Coconut sugar
- 1 tsp Ground Cardamom
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg
Date Filling
- 1 Cup Mashed Dates
- ¼ Cup Shredded Coconuts
- 1 tsp Ground Cardamom
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg
Turkish Delight Filling
- 1 Box Rose-Flavored Delight Pieces (or your preferred flavor)
Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, gluten-free flour, cardamom, salt, and baking soda.
- Add the softened butter, honey, and egg white to the dry ingredients.
- Using a sturdy spoon or your hands, mix everything together until a soft, cohesive dough forms. If it feels a little dry or crumbly, add a teaspoon of butter at a time until the dough holds together well.
- Gently knead the dough for a minute or two until smooth.
- Wrap the dough in parchment or plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes before rolling and shaping.
Preparing The Fillings
- For the walnut filling, mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
- For the date filling, stir together all ingredients until well combined.
- Have Turkish Delight pieces ready, cut to fit inside your cookie cutter if needed.
To Assemble the Filled Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Grab a small handful of dough and press it firmly into the decorated cookie cutter, forming a base layer about 1/4 inch thick.
- Add 1 teaspoon of your chosen filling (walnut, date, or Turkish delight) in the center of the dough.
- Grab another small piece of dough and flatten it between your hands. Gently press it over the filling inside the cutter to cover it completely.
- Press around the edges to seal the top and bottom layers together.
- Carefully lift the cutter off to release the shaped or bang, yes bang, the cookie cutter on the table to release filled cookie.
- Repeat until all dough and filling are used.
Hand Flattening Method
- Scoop a small piece of dough (about the size of a golf ball) and flatten it in the palm of your hand into a round disc, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Take a smaller portion of your chosen filling (date, walnut, or a single Turkish delight piece) and roll or shape it into a ball or small log.
- Place the filling in the center of the dough disc.
- Gently fold the edges of the dough up and around the filling, pinching it closed so the filling is fully enclosed inside the dough.
- Roll the filled dough gently between your palms to smooth and round it out.
- Press the filled dough ball into your decorated cookie cutter to shape and imprint the design. Press gently but firmly to fill the cutter evenly.
- Carefully lift the cookie cutter off, leaving the shaped cookie on the baking sheet.
- Repeat with the remaining dough and fillings.
Bake
- Brush the tops of the cookies lightly with egg wash, making sure to coat evenly for a golden finish
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
