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Barazek
Barazek: thin Damascus cookies crusted with toasted sesame on one side and pistachios on the other
Barazek are the cookies Damascene families bring out for Eid and to go with an afternoon glass of tea: thin, crisp and buttery, with a glassy crust of sesame seeds held on with honey on top and a scattering of chopped pistachios pressed into the bottom. They are made by the tin-load in Damascus sweet shops and keep for weeks. Common mistake: using untoasted sesame — they should be lightly toasted before going on, or the cookies taste raw. Chef's tip: dip the sesame side into the honey syrup and then the seeds, not the other way round; you get an even, shiny layer that bakes to amber.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 24
Ingredients
For the dough
For the coatings
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix 10 ½ oz plain flour, 2 ⅞ oz sugar, 1 tsp baking powder and ½ tsp instant dried yeast. Rub in 5 ½ oz butter until it looks like damp sand, then add ¼ cup milk and knead briefly into a soft dough. Cover and rest 20 minutes.
20 minStep 2: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan) and line two trays. Warm 3 tbsp honey with 2 tbsp water until runny and pour onto a plate. Spread 5 ½ oz sesame seeds on a second plate and 2 ½ oz pistachios on a third.
Step 3: Roll walnut-sized balls of dough. Flatten each into a thin 7 cm disc between your palms.
Step 4: Press one side into the pistachios. Dip the other side into the honey, then into the sesame seeds, pressing so they stick in a solid layer.
Step 5: Set sesame-side up on the trays and press with your fingertips to thin them a little more (about 3 mm).
Step 6: Bake for 12–15 minutes until the sesame is golden amber and the edges are firm. Cool on the tray — they crisp up as they cool. Store airtight for 3 weeks.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 135 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 14 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does barazek take?
- About 50 minutes in total: 35 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 24 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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