Kolompeh (کلمپه) is a traditional Iranian sweet originating from the Kerman province in southeastern Iran, where dates are readily available. This popular treat is one of the typical regional specialties that has gradually spread to other parts of Iran.
Kolompeh is a delicate cookie filled with dates, often served with tea or coffee.
A typical kolompeh has a round, flat, and slightly domed shape. The dough is made from wheat flour, butter or vegetable fat, and sometimes milk or yogurt. The dough is lightly sweetened and may contain spices such as cardamom or cinnamon, and it is often colored with saffron. The filling is a smooth date paste, which can be enriched with chopped nuts.
Before baking, kolompeh is decorated with a special stamp that creates decorative patterns on its surface. The stamp not only adorns the kolompeh but also helps to evenly distribute the filling inside the pastry.
I had the chance to try kolompeh at a small local market in the historic city of Yazd. It is a rather “dry” and crumbly cookie, somewhat reminiscent of linzer crescents.
Bon appétit!
