Ingredients for XXL Family-Size Dambedei (or Two Smaller Dambedeis:

• 500g (4 cups) spelt flour (Type 630 or 1050)
• 1/2 cube fresh yeast (about ¾ oz )
• 250ml (1 cup + 2 tbsp) warm milk
• 80g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
• Zest of 1 fresh lemon
• 4 dates
• 2 eggs
• Raisins (2 per Dambedei for eyes, optional)

1. Pit the 4 dates, chop them finely, and mash into a smooth paste with a fork.
2. Pour the warm milk into a bowl, crumble in the yeast, stir briefly until fully dissolved and slightly foamy.
3. Meanwhile, weigh out the spelt flour into a large mixing bowl. Zest the lemon and lightly melt the butter.
4. Add the date paste, 1 egg, melted butter, and the yeast mixture to the flour. Knead everything for about 10 minutes until you have a smooth, elastic dough.
5. Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm place for about 45 minutes, until it has visibly doubled in size.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly butter your Dambedei mold.
7. Place the dough in the prepared pan. Press raisins into the dough for eyes and buttons if desired.
8. Beat the second egg and brush it evenly over the Dambedei.
9. For an XXL family-size Dambedei, bake for about 45 minutes. For smaller individual Dambedeis, bake for 20–30 minutes, until golden brown.
10. Let the Dambedei cool on a wire rack. 

Sources: 

Mahmood, S., Iqra, I., Ranjhda, M., Shahzad, J., Jaangla, K., Masood, A., & Mustafa, S. (2019). A critical review on nutritional and medicinal importance of lemon. Acta Sci Agric, 3(6), 95-7. Source

Oyeniran, O. H., Omotosho, O.-P. I., Ademola, I. I., Ibraheem, O., Nwagwe, O. R., & Onodugo, C. A. (2024). Citrus limonZitronen-Blatt-Alkaloid-reiche Extrakte lindern kognitive und Gedächtnisdefizite bei Scopolamin-induzierten Amnesikratten. Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine, 10, 100395. Source