Nadine Arab of Curls en Route is bringing a candy deal with from Egypt to the ‘Recipes Across the World‘ sequence!
I selected Kahk because it resembles blissful moments from my childhood; they remind me of my grandma and of the Eid vacation. To this present day, these celebratory cookies unfold pleasure amongst all Egyptians—grownups and youngsters alike!
Kahk are Egyptian cookies which can be primarily related to the Islamic Eid Al-Fitr, the 3-day feast that marks the top of Ramadan. These cookies are a cornerstone of the Egyptian tradition that dates again to historic Egypt. Sure, drawings of Kahk have been discovered on partitions of some temples!
And in a later period, kitchens in palaces used to make large portions and fill them with gold cash and provides them out to the individuals on Eid!
Right here’s the recipe for the way to make Egyptian Kahk cookies at residence!
Cairo, Egypt
Cultural Context
Over time, the Kahk custom was handed down from one era to a different, and naturally, no Kahk on the earth would beat your grandma’s recipe! I’d argue that for a lot of Egyptians, their favourite recollections must embody serving to out their grandma on the final day of Ramadan, as she bakes they usually stamp the cookies!
I keep in mind once I was a baby, I used to assemble with my cousins and assist our grandma make all kinds of shapes on the scrumptious snowballs-to-be.
Components
Kahk Batter:
- 1 kg all-purpose flour (~eight cups of flour)
- 100g powdered sugar (plus some extra to sprinkle on the finish)
- 2 tbsp yeast OR 1 half of tsp baking powder
- 600g ghee (use at room temperature)
- 2-Three cups milk (use at room temperature)
- Three tbsp toasted sesame seeds (elective)
- half of tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp Kahk essence (That is an extract that offers Kahk a particular odor and style. Because you won’t be capable to discover this at your native spice store, you possibly can change it with rose water or take away it utterly)
- Trace of salt
For the Fillings:
- Possibility #1: Plain Kahk (no filling)
- Possibility #2: Nuts (hottest selection: walnuts)
- Possibility #3: A’agameya filling (substances+ recipe beneath!)
- Possibility #4: A’gwa filling (date paste)
A’agameya Components:
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Three tbsp ghee
- 1 cup honey
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 cup diced walnuts (elective)
Recipe + Preparation
Directions — A’agameya:
- Soften the ghee on medium-high warmth.
- Stir within the flour and prepare dinner till golden.
- Add the honey, hold stirring, and convey to a boil.
- Hold cooking till you get a thicker consistency. You don’t need it to be too laborious although, so don’t overcook.
- Flip off the warmth. In the event you’ll add walnuts or sesame seeds, then stir them in now.
- Depart it to chill at room temperature earlier than shaping and refrigerating (extra on that beneath).
Directions – Kahk:
- Put together fillings first, if you happen to received’t go for plain Kahk, by rolling into nut-sized items then hold within the fridge till they’re prepared for use. Discover A’agameya directions above if you happen to’ll go for it.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) (For A’agameya Kahk, preheat to 260°C to keep away from the filling oozing out whereas baking.)
- Combine the dry substances along with the vanilla extract and the Kahk essence (or rose water).
- Add the ghee and mix till all is properly blended.
- Add the milk steadily whereas mixing.
- Begin taking out scoop-size items of dough and roll into balls. So as to add the filling, press along with your thumb within the heart of the ball, add the filling, then roll once more till it’s utterly coated.
- Make designs on the highest of every cookie utilizing a Kahk stamper or tweezers, however because you won’t have the instruments, you need to use a sugar sifter or a fork as an alternative. Simply ensure that the filling received’t ooze out.
- Place the Kahk on a baking sheet coated in parchment paper. Depart sufficient house between every cookie. Place A’agameya Kahk on a separate baking sheet as they’ll be baked alone.
- Bake cookies for round 20-25 minutes or till agency. As for A’agameya Kahk, bake till agency and it ought to take lower than 10 minutes (larger temperature).
- Depart to chill, then transfer to a wire rack and depart them to chill once more.
- Sift powdered sugar in your cookies, however ensure that they cooled utterly so the sugar wouldn’t soften.
Bel hana wel shefa! (Arabic for “get pleasure from your meal”)
Wish to discover different scrumptious meals from world wide to make? Take a look at these recipes!
