Date-Stuffed Holiday Rings

In Gaza, large batches of ka’ik are frequently made for holidays—Muslim or Christian—and distributed to friends, family, and neighbors. In light of the holiday character of these cookies, the recipe we provide is for about 5 dozen ka’ik. Feel free to divide the recipe proportionally for a smaller batch.

Exceptionally sweet red dates grow in Gaza, particularly in the Deir el Belah (“monastery of dates”) district and, when not consumed fresh in their khalal stage,