What is Maamoul, as featured in The Great British Bake Off?

Bake Offs latest technical challenge left several of the contestants looking a bit lost and puzzled – simply because theyd never heard of it.

Tuesday nights Spice Week saw the nine remaining bakers tasked with making Maamoul – and being pretty confused about it.

The challenge saw them making two types – one filled with a date paste, the other with walnut – but just what are they, exactly?

Well let us explain. A Maamoul is an Arabian pastry or cookie which originates from the Levantine region of the Middle East, which is made with such ingredients as dates, nuts, and occasionally figs or almonds.

As we saw on the show, they are usually either ball-shaped, or flattened cookie-style.

The treats are popular throughout the Arab world, and are particularly in demand during religious festivals.

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While they are often eaten after the fasting during Ramadan, its also customary to serve them to guests during the Eid holidays.

If you want to try making them for yourself, you can get Paul Hollywoods recipe from the shows official website.

Tuesday nights show saw some of the bakers struggle with the tricky technical, although in the end it was Ruby who won the round after impressing with her efforts.

The show also saw Kim-Joy made Star Baker for the first time, while bidding farewell to Karen and Terry in a double elimination.

When is The Great British Bake Off on?

The series continues next Tuesday night on Channel 4 at 8pm.

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MORE: Where was Prue Leith during the Bake Off showstopper last night?

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