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Vegan Almond Paste

Vegan Almond Paste

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place almonds in a food processor. Process to meal-like consistency, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Don't overprocess—mixture should still be crumbly, not paste-like.
  2. 2 Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat for 4 minutes. Start checking temperature with a candy thermometer every minute or so. Continue to cook until it reaches 240 degrees F (115 degrees C) and is a medium-thick syrup, about 6 to 8 minutes longer. Don't overcook syrup, otherwise it will harden when cool.
  3. 3 Remove from the heat and stir in almonds and almond extract. Return to the heat and cook, stirring with a spatula and scraping the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent scorching until almond paste just holds together, 30 to 60 seconds. Do not cook for too long, or it will caramelize.
  4. 4 Remove from the heat and use when cool enough to handle. To refrigerate, wrap in waxed paper in an airtight container and use within a few weeks. To freeze, place wrapped almond paste in a freezer bag and freeze for up to six months.

By nch

Strawberry Rosewater Ice Cream

Strawberry Rosewater Ice Cream

3.4

Prep
10 min
Cook
5 min
Total
210 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine the strawberries and 1/3 cup sugar in a bowl; mash together with a potato masher. Store the mixture in the refrigerator while preparing the rest of the recipe.
  2. 2 Stir together the egg yolks, milk, salt and 1/3 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat to 175 degrees F (80 degrees C), making sure the mixture does not boil; transfer to a chilled bowl and move to the refrigerator to cool, stirring occasionally. Once cooled, stir in the cream, rosewater, and strawberry mixture.
  3. 3 Fill an ice cream maker with the mixture, and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.

By Ms Munchie

Arabian Rose Water Pudding (Muhalbiyah)

Arabian Rose Water Pudding (Muhalbiyah)

3.9

Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Total
140 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Whisk water, rose water, milk powder, sugar, and cornstarch together in a saucepan until smooth. Place over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, and cook until it begins to boil; cook at a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat immediately; stir a few times to help it cool.
  2. 2 Divide the mixture between 8 small serving glasses; refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.

By bmaaq

Tahini Butter Cookies

Tahini Butter Cookies

4.2

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
35 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  2. 2 Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and tahini, mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder, then stir into butter mixture. Drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet in tablespoon-sized pieces.
  3. 3 Bake in preheated oven until they turn golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool on the cookie sheet 10 to 15 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack.

By Faina Gersh

Tut (Persian Marzipan)

Tut (Persian Marzipan)

Prep
20 min
Cook
Total
20 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine almond flour, powdered sugar, and cardamom in a medium bowl. Drizzle in rose water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and gently knead until a soft dough forms that doesn't stick to your hands. Taste and add more powdered sugar to reach desired sweetness. Adjust rose water if needed.
  2. 2 Pinch off about 1/2 teaspoon of dough. Form into a ball and shape like a cone, to resemble a mulberry, or any shape that you like. Roll in white sugar. Repeat with remaining dough.
  3. 3 Chop pistachios into slivers, resembling stems. Place a pistachio sliver over each piece of "tut."

By Naz Deravian

Rose Water Turkish Delight

Rose Water Turkish Delight

2.2

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 Line a 9-inch cake pan with enough aluminum foil to have it hanging over the sides; spray with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. 2 Stir sugar, water, and gelatin together in a large pot; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cook at a simmer, stirring constantly, for 20 minutes.
  3. 3 Stir rose water and food coloring into the mixture in the pot; pour directly into the prepared cake pan.
  4. 4 Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.
  5. 5 Lightly dust a cutting board with some of the confectioners' sugar. Invert cake pan onto the cutting board. Gently peel aluminum foil from the surface of the gelatin. Cut gelatin into squares.
  6. 6 Spread confectioners' sugar into a wide, shallow dish. Roll gelatin squares in the sugar to coat.

By thr33things

Mahalabia (Middle Eastern-Style Milk Pudding)

Mahalabia (Middle Eastern-Style Milk Pudding)

4.7

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
145 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine milk and sugar together in a saucepan; bring to a boil.
  2. 2 Whisk water and cornstarch together in a bowl until smooth; stir into boiling milk. Cook milk mixture over medium heat until thickened to the consistency of cake batter, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and stir cream, rose water, and cardamom into milk mixture.
  3. 3 Refrigerate milk mixture until completely cooled, 2 to 4 hours.

By Amel

Rose Petal Cookies

Rose Petal Cookies

5.0

Prep
20 min
Cook
10 min
Total
90 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs and rose water; fold in rose petals.
  2. 2 Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl; mix into dough. Cover and chill dough 1 hour to overnight.
  3. 3 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  4. 4 Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about ⅓-inch thickness. Cut into shapes with a shaped cutter or cut into rectangles or squares. Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until light and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely before serving.

By Diana Moutsopoulos

Basboosa

Basboosa

4.4

Prep
20 min
Cook
30 min
Total
50 min

Instructions

  1. 1 In a medium bowl, mix together the semolina flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, yogurt, oil, coconut, and baking powder. Set aside for 30 minutes.
  2. 2 In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together the water, 1 3/4 cups sugar, and rosewater. Bring to a boil, and boil for 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside to cool to room temperature.
  3. 3 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread the semolina batter into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Slice into squares or diamonds, and place on almond half onto each piece.
  4. 4 Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light brown. Switch the oven setting to broil, and broil until the top is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oven, and pour the syrup over the squares. Serve warm.

By Lubna

The Rebbetzin Chef's Persian Walnut Cookies

The Rebbetzin Chef's Persian Walnut Cookies

4.2

Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
45 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. 2 Mix together ground walnuts, sugar, 3 egg yolks, cardamom, baking soda, and rose water in a medium bowl until well blended. Roll teaspoon-sized pieces of dough into balls and place 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
  3. 3 Whisk together remaining egg yolk and water using a fork. Press a walnut piece into each cookie, then brush with egg yolk glaze.
  4. 4 Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 20 minutes. The cookies will appear soft and undercooked but they will harden considerably when cooled.
  5. 5 Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

By The Rebbetzin Chef

Cypriot Tahini Pies with Orange Flavor

Cypriot Tahini Pies with Orange Flavor

5.0

Prep
75 min
Cook
18 min
Total
138 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 cup water, and yeast together in a small bowl. Stir well with a fork.
  2. 2 Sift bread flour and all-purpose flour together in a mixing bowl. Add salt and blend. Pour in yeast mixture. Start adding remaining water gradually; mix until dough comes together. Place dough on a flat work surface and knead until soft and smooth, about 15 minutes.
  3. 3 Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover. Place it a warm spot and let it rise for 45 minutes.
  4. 4 In the meantime, prepare the filling. Add remaining sugar, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and orange zest to the tahini. Mix well.
  5. 5 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. 6 Flatten dough gently and cut into 8 equal pieces. Keep dough covered as you work with 1 piece at a time.
  7. 7 Roll out 1 piece of dough into a 6-inch disk. Place 2 tablespoons of the filling in the middle, gather up the edges in the center, and pinch to seal. Press down to flatten; roll back out into a 6-inch disk. Roll disk into a log about 12 inches long. Cut in half and stretch each piece out to make it a little longer. Roll in both ends towards the center, creating an 'S' shape. Fold 1 spiral over the other and flatten with your palm. Roll out slightly; transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
  8. 8 Repeat step 6 with remaining dough and filling, making 16 hand pies in total. Keep finished pies loosely covered so they rise slightly while you finish the rest.
  9. 9 Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 18 minutes.

By Aphrodite

Rose Water Gelees

Rose Water Gelees

3.5

Prep
10 min
Cook
13 min
Total
758 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Grease an 8-inch square pan with vegetable oil.
  2. 2 Place 2/3 cup water in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin on top; let stand until softened, about 15 minutes.
  3. 3 Combine remaining 1 cup water, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil syrup, covered, for 3 minutes.
  4. 4 Uncover saucepan and attach a candy thermometer to the side; continue cooking syrup until the temperature reaches 238 degrees F (114 degrees C), about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in gelatin mixture carefully until completely dissolved. Mix in rose water and red food coloring.
  5. 5 Pour syrup into the greased pan. Let stand at room temperature until gelled, about 4 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and chill, 8 hours to overnight.
  6. 6 Cut gelled mixture into 1-inch squares. Dust with cornstarch.

By twoellis

Sfoof (Lebanese Semolina Turmeric Cake)

Sfoof (Lebanese Semolina Turmeric Cake)

4.2

Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Total
40 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch round baking pan.
  2. 2 In a small bowl, mix semolina, flour, turmeric and baking powder. Set aside.
  3. 3 In a large bowl, stir milk and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add flour mixture and oil and beat with an electric beater at medium speed for 5 minutes. This step is essential, do not use any shortcuts.
  4. 4 Pour into a prepared 9-inch round pan. Sprinkle top with pine nuts.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until wooden pick inserted in center comes out dry, 25 to 35 minutes.

By Lara

Easy Turkish Delight

Easy Turkish Delight

4.0

Prep
20 min
Cook
20 min
Total
70 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine water, white sugar, and gelatin in a large microwave-safe bowl; heat in microwave on high for 7 minutes. Stir sugar mixture and cook in microwave for 7 minutes more.
  2. 2 Mix 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, corn flour, and cream of tartar together in a bowl; stir into sugar mixture. Heat mixture in microwave on high for 6 minutes more. Stir rose water and food coloring into mixture.
  3. 3 Lightly grease a 7x11-inch baking dish. Pour mixture into the greased dish; refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
  4. 4 Cut Turkish delight into small squares using a wet knife.
  5. 5 Place 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar in a bowl. Roll Turkish delight in the confectioners' sugar until evenly coated. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

By lizardbeth20

Balah el Sham (Egyptian Choux Pastry)

Balah el Sham (Egyptian Choux Pastry)

3.0

Prep
30 min
Cook
30 min
Total
70 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil; stir until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium; add lime juice. Simmer until flavors combine, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla; let syrup cool.
  2. 2 Stir together vegetable oil, remaining 2 cups water, remaining 1 cup sugar, and salt in a large pot over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. Add flour all at once; stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until batter forms into a ball. Cook until batter is shiny, about 1 minute. Transfer to a large bowl and cool for about 5 minutes.
  3. 3 Flatten batter into the bottom of the bowl. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla; mix until batter is creamy. Pour into a cloth piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
  4. 4 Heat corn oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat until bubbly; reduce heat to medium-low. Squeeze 2 inches of batter onto an oiled spatula and lower into hot oil; repeat until the saucepan is full. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer pastries to a paper bag to drain, about 30 seconds.
  5. 5 Soak hot pastries in syrup; transfer to a plate to cool, about 5 minutes.

By UnboundedPassion

Om Ali

Om Ali

4.6

Prep
30 min
Cook
30 min
Total
60 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. 2 Place the pastry sheets in the baking dish and place the dish in the oven. Watch it closely. When the top layer turns crunchy and golden, remove it from the oven. Continue until all the sheets are cooked.
  3. 3 Preheat the oven's broiler.
  4. 4 In a bowl, combine walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, raisins, coconut and 1/4 cup sugar. Break cooked pastry into pieces and stir into nut mixture. Spread mixture evenly in 9x13-inch dish.
  5. 5 Bring milk and 1/2 cup sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Pour over nut mixture.
  6. 6 Beat the heavy cream with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread evenly over nut mixture in dish.
  7. 7 Place dessert under oven broiler until top is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Serve hot.

By NANCY GIRGIS

Mahalabia (Lebanese Cardamom Pudding)

Mahalabia (Lebanese Cardamom Pudding)

4.0

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
235 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine 3/4 cup of the milk and cornstarch in a bowl and stir until smooth.
  2. 2 Pour remaining milk into a pot and stir in sugar and cardamom extract. Heat over low heat, stirring until sugar is fully dissolved. Whisk in cornstarch mixture and simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
  3. 3 Pour milk mixture into 5 ramekins, cover, and cool to room temperature. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
  4. 4 Combine water, sugar, and vanilla seeds in a pot and bring to a boil over low heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Allow syrup to cool. Sprinkle each serving with pistachios and rose petals. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon syrup.

By DeuxDilettantes

Tulumba (Deep-Fried Pastry with Syrup)

Tulumba (Deep-Fried Pastry with Syrup)

Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
180 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Bring 2 cups water and 6 tablespoons oil to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Off heat, stir in flour and baking powder until well combined; cool, 15 to 20 minutes.
  2. 2 Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition with an electric mixer; beat until mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
  3. 3 Meanwhile, bring sugar and 2 1/2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat; stir until sugar is dissolved. Off heat, cool, at least 20 to 30 minutes.
  4. 4 While syrup cools, heat 2 cups oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  5. 5 Spoon dough into a tulumba syringe or a piping bag fitted with a coupler and a star-shaped tip (closed or open). Pipe small portions of dough, in batches, into the hot oil. (You can also drop spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil, but the tulumbas won't have the traditional shape.) Fry until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; cool about 10 minutes. Transfer tulumbas to a bowl. Pour cooled syrup on top; let soak for at least 2 hours.

By Macedonian Cuisine

Kanafa

Kanafa

4.6

Prep
25 min
Cook
35 min
Total
60 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  2. 2 Prepare kanafa: Finely chop frozen, shredded phyllo dough using a food processor until the strands are about the size of a grain of rice. Pour into a large mixing bowl.
  3. 3 Mix together ricotta, mozzarella, and sugar in a separate bowl.
  4. 4 Place butter in a large, microwave-safe liquid measuring cup or bowl with a spout. Heat in a microwave until completely melted, and let it sit for several minutes until a thick white foam has formed on top. Clarify butter by using a spoon to skim off the foam.
  5. 5 Carefully pour butter into the bowl of phyllo dough. Avoid pouring in the white milk solids at the bottom of the clarified butter. Use your hands to mix butter and dough together. Make sure butter is absorbed by taking handfuls of the dough and rubbing it between your palms.
  6. 6 Evenly spread buttered phyllo dough into a 9x13-inch pan and firmly press it into the bottom and edges. Spread cheese mixture onto the dough, avoiding the edges of the pan.
  7. 7 Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is slightly golden and the edges of dough are brown and bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes.
  8. 8 While the kanafa is baking, prepare the syrup: Combine 1 cup sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in lemon juice. Simmer, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Be careful not to let the mixture turn golden and caramelize. Remove from heat and add rose water; set aside.
  9. 9 Remove kanafa from the oven. Place a large platter or baking sheet over the baking dish. Using oven mitts, carefully invert the baking dish onto the platter so phyllo is on top. Pour syrup over kanafa. Cut into pieces and serve while hot.

By Noura

Namoora (Basboosa)

Namoora (Basboosa)

4.0

Prep
20 min
Cook
30 min
Total
110 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Line a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with aluminum foil and generously butter the foil. Spread the tahini evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan in a thin layer.
  2. 2 Mix together farina cereal with 1 1/2 cup of sugar and baking powder in a bowl. Mix in the yogurt and 1 tablespoon of softened butter gently with your hands until the dough is smooth. Spread dough out into the prepared baking dish. Pat the surface smooth. Cover the dish with foil, and allow to stand at room temperature for 2 hours. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 squares; push an almond half gently into the top of each square.
  3. 3 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  4. 4 Bake in the preheated oven until the dessert is set and the top is lightly golden brown, about 30 minutes.
  5. 5 While the dessert is baking, make the syrup. Place 2 cups of sugar into a saucepan with the water, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar. Stir in the lemon juice, and boil the syrup for 5 minutes; stir in butter and orange flower water until combined. Pour the hot syrup over the dessert as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let cool for 1 to 2 hours to let the syrup absorb before serving.

By Basma Yacoub

Rose Petal Pound Cake

Rose Petal Pound Cake

4.5

Prep
30 min
Cook
50 min
Total
95 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9-inch tube pan.
  2. 2 Sift together flour and salt; set aside.
  3. 3 Beat butter in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy; it should be noticeably lighter in color. In a separate bowl, beat sugar and eggs together until doubled in volume. Mixture should be thick and lemon-colored.
  4. 4 Add sifted flour and salt gradually to the egg mixture, mixing until fully combined. Fold in creamed butter and mix thoroughly.
  5. 5 Divide batter into two equal parts. Into one part, add the almond extract and the ground almonds. To the other part, add the rosewater and the red food coloring. Spoon batters alternately into the prepared pan.
  6. 6 Bake in preheated oven until a cake tester comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cake cool for 15 minutes; then remove from pan to cool completely. Dust with confectioner's sugar before serving.

By Carol

No-Fail Bean Pie

No-Fail Bean Pie

4.8

Prep
20 min
Cook
50 min
Total
130 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place each pie pastry into a 9-inch pie pan.
  2. 2 Place navy beans and evaporated milk into a food processor. Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, egg yolks, flour, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg; pulse a few times, then process until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour mixture into the prepared pie crusts.
  3. 3 Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake until filling is set and crust is golden brown, about 35 more minutes.
  4. 4 Remove from the oven and let cool for 1 hour before slicing.

By Imam Qadriyyah S Mabel-Doroth

Layali Lubnan (Lebanese Nights)

Layali Lubnan (Lebanese Nights)

4.6

Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Total
340 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Make pudding: Pour milk into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and slowly pour in semolina in a steady stream, stirring continuously. Continue to stir and cook until mixture thickens and boils for 1 to 2 minutes.
  2. 2 Remove the pan from heat and stir in eggs and rose water until well combined. Pour mixture into a 9x13-inch serving dish or individual dishes. Allow pudding to cool slightly, then cover with plastic wrap directly on the top. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 5 hours to overnight.
  3. 3 Make syrup: Heat 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir to dissolve sugar, then cook until mixture turns golden brown. Immediately remove from heat and stir in remaining water. Don't worry if the mixture bubbles and hardens a bit, it will dissolve. Return the pan to the stove and stir in remaining 3 1/2 cups sugar until dissolved. Add lemon juice and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and chill. The syrup will keep for a month if refrigerated in a sealed container.
  4. 4 Make topping: Beat together cream and sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Spread a thin layer of whipped cream over pudding. Sprinkle with nuts.
  5. 5 Cut pudding into squares. Serve with syrup poured around it.

By Laila Baker

Sfouf (Lebanese Turmeric Cake)

Sfouf (Lebanese Turmeric Cake)

4.5

Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
50 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with tahini.
  2. 2 Combine boiling water and anise seeds in a glass measuring cup; steep, about 5 minutes. Strain into a bowl; discard anise seeds. Stir sugar into anise-flavored water until dissolved.
  3. 3 Whisk flour, turmeric, baking powder, and anise seed powder together in a bowl; make a well in the center. Add oil and butter to the well; stir in sweetened anise-flavored water until batter is the consistency of thick yogurt.
  4. 4 Pour batter into the prepared baking pan; score top into diamond shapes using the tip of a knife. Place 1 pine nut in center of each diamond.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until top is lightly browned, about 30 minutes.

By LauraF

Maamoul (Lebanese Date Cookies)

Maamoul (Lebanese Date Cookies)

4.5

Prep
45 min
Cook
30 min
Total
575 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Mix semolina flour, all-purpose flour, mahlab, and salt together in a large bowl. Work clarified butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until thoroughly incorporated. Cover bowl and let dough rest at room temperature, 8 hours to overnight.
  2. 2 Pour milk into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until just warm, about 15 seconds. Stir in sugar and yeast until dissolved. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
  3. 3 Pour yeast mixture and orange blossom water over the dough and mix until evenly moistened. Pinch off a piece of dough and roll into a ball; it should hold its shape without cracking. Add more milk or orange blossom water if needed. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
  4. 4 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  5. 5 Sprinkle some flour over the ma'amoul molds and tap out the excess. Pinch off a walnut-sized piece of dough and roll into a ball. Press your thumb into the ball to create space for the filling. Work the edges with your fingers so the sides are even and fairly thin. Drop in a piece of date paste and pinch dough over it to seal.
  6. 6 Place cookie into the mold cavity seam-side up. Press down so that the top is flush with edges of the mold. Trim off any excess dough. Invert the mold and tap it against your work surface to release the cookie. Repeat with remaining dough and date paste, arranging cookies 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.
  7. 7 Bake in the preheated oven, 1 baking sheet at a time, until edges and bottoms are golden but tops are still mostly pale, about 15 minutes.
  8. 8 Sift powdered sugar over the cookies while still slightly warm. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

By LauraF

Baklava Cheesecake

Baklava Cheesecake

4.7

Prep
30 min
Cook
65 min
Total
155 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch pan.
  2. 2 Toss walnuts and cinnamon together in a bowl and set aside.
  3. 3 Unroll phyllo dough and trim to just slightly larger than the pan so dough will run up the sides. Place 2 sheets of dough in the prepared pan and butter thoroughly. Repeat for a total of 8 sheets layered. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of cinnamon-walnut mixture on top. Top with 2 more sheets of dough, butter, cinnamon-walnut mixture; repeat and end with 3 sheets of dough. Butter the top of the baklava.
  4. 4 Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Leave oven on.
  5. 5 Meanwhile, combine cream cheese, sugar, and flour in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on high power until smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape the bowl. Beat on low speed and add eggs 1 at a time, beating about 15 seconds after each. Scrape bowl. Add lemon juice and beat on high speed until well blended, about 1 minute. Pour mixture over baked baklava crust in the pan while crust is still hot.
  6. 6 Bake in the hot oven until set, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
  7. 7 Cut cooled cheesecake into 12 servings.
  8. 8 Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil until melted, about 5 minutes. Add honey and vanilla extract and simmer for 20 minutes. Drizzle hot sauce over the cooled cake, making sure to get in between the slices.
  9. 9 Refrigerate uncovered or only lightly covered with aluminum foil; a tight seal will make it soggy.

By Trinity

Nazook (Sweet Persian Pastry)

Nazook (Sweet Persian Pastry)

5.0

Prep
60 min
Cook
20 min
Total
220 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine 1 cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons sugar, and yeast in a bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in egg, vinegar, and oil.
  2. 2 Add 3 cups flour to a large bowl. Cut in 1/2 cup butter with 2 knives or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in sour cream mixture until dough comes together.
  3. 3 Turn dough out onto a floured surface; knead until smooth but still slightly tacky, about 10 minutes. Cut dough into 4 pieces; wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, 2 hours or up to overnight.
  4. 4 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  5. 5 Combine 2 1/2 cups sugar, 1 pound melted butter, and vanilla extract in a very large bowl; stir in 4 cups flour. Beat egg whites into filling mixture.
  6. 6 Roll 1 piece dough on a lightly floured work surface into an 8x12-inch rectangle. Crumble 1/4 filling mixture on top, leaving a 1/2-inch border on long sides. Cover filling with plastic wrap; flatten with a rolling pin. Roll dough into a tight roll, starting with one of the long sides.
  7. 7 Cut roll into 2-inch pieces at a slight angle. Arrange pieces on a rimmed baking sheet. Push tops down gently to flatten slightly. Repeat with remaining 3 dough pieces and filling.
  8. 8 Whisk egg yolks and yogurt together; brush over dough pieces.
  9. 9 Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Cool before serving, about 15 minutes.

By Allrecipes Member

Lebanese Easter Cookies

Lebanese Easter Cookies

4.0

Prep
120 min
Cook
15 min
Total
615 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in sugar and water; continue stirring to dissolve sugar. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. 2 Measure flours into a large bowl. Add melted butter mixture, sesame seeds, yeast, cinnamon, mahleb, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, and allspice; stir slowly for about 10 minutes to thoroughly blend ingredients. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave dough in the bowl to rest for 1 hour.
  3. 3 Grease 3 baking sheets with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
  4. 4 Pour rose water and orange flower water into a small bowl. Pour warm water into a second small bowl.
  5. 5 Transfer dough to a floured board or work surface. Pull off about 1 cup dough. Dip your fingers in warm water and knead dough for a few minutes; dip dough in flower water and knead again until dough is soft and pliable.
  6. 6 Use the palm of your hand to roll dough into a rope 12 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Cut rope in half and make a wreath-shaped cookie with each piece, pinching the ends together. Place on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover cookies with a clean towel and place in the refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight.
  7. 7 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove baking sheets from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature while the oven preheats.
  8. 8 Bake cookies in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

By Arlette Therese Abdallah

Easy Candied Grapefruit Peel

Easy Candied Grapefruit Peel

4.5

Prep
30 min
Cook
85 min
Total
175 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Quarter grapefruit and remove rinds; use interiors for another purpose. Slice each rind lengthwise into strips, approximately 1/4 inch at the widest point.
  2. 2 Cover rind with 2 inches of water in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil; boil for 3 minutes. Drain. Repeat 3 more times with fresh water. Drain.
  3. 3 Place boiled grapefruit rind, 1 3/4 cups sugar, and 1 cup of fresh water into the saucepan. Let simmer slowly, increasing heat as needed, until water is absorbed or evaporated, about 1 hour.
  4. 4 Place remaining 1 cup sugar in a large bowl and toss peels in it. Cool and allow to dry on wax paper or a wire rack. Dust with more sugar as preferred.

By Ellen P

Roasted Strawberries

Roasted Strawberries

5.0

Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Total
20 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  2. 2 Quarter large strawberries and halve smaller ones; place in a 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle sugar on top; toss several times.
  3. 3 Roast in the preheated oven, stirring once, until strawberries are soft and juices are thick and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely.

By chpmnk42