I could never imagine that such simple-looking cookies could be so delicious. These are exactly what I would describe as ghraybeh cookies, the Middle Eastern shortbread cookies. They’re easy to make and irresistible to eat. Here’s how I managed to get the recipe from a Middle Eastern bakery.
It was a typical Miami morning, the sun was shining and the air was humid. As I made my way through the streets of the city, an irresistibly delightful scent lingered around me. This led me to discover a Middle Eastern bakery, after following my nose. The aroma of freshly baked bread and sweet, delectable pastries was simply too alluring to ignore, so I decided to venture inside the bakery and take a peek at what delicious treats lay in store.
The staff welcomed me with warm smiles as I came into the bakery. The vibrant and diverse selection of baked goods on the shelves astounded me. Every single one of the pastries on display appeared to be incredibly appetizing, and I was unsure of which one I should indulge in first. It was a true feast for the eyes; an abundance of scrumptious delicacies that had my taste buds tingling with excitement and desire. The young man behind the counter suggested I try their ghraybeh cookies, Middle Eastern shortbread cookies .I couldn’t wait to try these out of curiosity as they were something new for me.
The Lebanese young man presented me with a plate of these exquisite, diminutive cookies. As soon as I tasted one, I realized that I had discovered something truly extraordinary; the delicate texture and delicious flavor were completely incomparable. The buttery, nutty cookies had an exquisite taste that was so delightful it almost melted in your mouth. Their flavor was robust and full-bodied, but the sweetness of the ingredients blended together to create a perfect balance. Every bite was a heavenly experience, making them a true delicacy. The skill used in the preparation of these cookies was quite evident; it was decidedly made with great attention to detail.
As I slowly and thoughtfully enjoyed each delicious morsel, I couldn’t help but observe the hectic activity of the bakery. The workers were running around in a frenzy, quickly taking orders and serving customers with great haste. In what appeared to be a potentially chaotic situation, I watched one of the workers accidentally dropped a tray of pastries. At once, the employees responded without hesitation and rapidly set about tidying up the mess before continuing their duties without disregarding them.
After savoring my batch of ghraybeh cookies, I decided to learn more about them. Thus, I asked the young man behind the counter if he could provide me with the recipe. However, he initially seemed hesitant to do so. Still, I persisted in my request and eventually he agreed to share it with me. He explained that the recipe is a family recipe for generations and was and passed down from a father to a son. However, I was persistent, and after some convincing, he finally agreed to give it to me.
The recipe was surprisingly straightforward, yet it demanded a great deal of patience and attention to details. Firstly, I had to blend together the butter, powdered sugar, and flour until I obtained a soft dough-like consistency. Secondly, I had to take the dough and shape it into tiny crescents. After that, I put them in the oven and waited until they were just barely golden brown. Finally, when they were ready, I generously covered each cookie with powdered sugar before allowing them to cool off.
As I exited the bakery, clutching the recipe tightly in my hand, I was filled with a profound sense of appreciation and camaraderie towards the staff. It dawned on me that food serves more than just its primary purpose of providing sustenance to our physical bodies; it also plays an integral role in creating connections between people. At the bakery, I had this amazing experience of witnessing how food has the ability to reconcile the cultural boundaries and promote harmony between various cultures. I was instilled with admiration towards those keeping the brilliant tradition of Middle Eastern cuisine alive.
In the coming days, I decided to try my hand at making ghraybeh cookies myself. I followed the recipe strictly and precisely. Much to my satisfaction, the results were just as scrumptious as those that I had sampled in the bakery. The homemade version tasted exactly like what I remembered from my initial experience! The taste of these nutty buttery creations surprised even my closest friends and family. I eagerly shared the delightful treat with them, and their amazing goodness mesmerized them!
To sum up, that morning in the Middle Eastern bakery, I experienced something definitive in my culinary journey. Encountering an unknown flavor and comprehending a different culture.
So here is the recipe for the ghraybeh cookies from that bakery:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of softened butter
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of rose water
- 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- Apricot jam for topping
How to make ghraybeh cookies (Middle Eastern shortbread cookies)?
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper for use.
- In a large bowl, blend together the butter and powdered sugar using a stand mixer until the mixture is creamy.
- Mix rose water in and blend until fully combined.
- Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix together the flour one cup at a time until everything is well-combined. The dough can sometimes feel crumbly, thus making it necessary to use your hands.
- Allow the dough to chill in the fridge for a full hour before use.
- Using a spring-loaded scoop or your hands, form the dough into 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized balls. This will make around 20 to 24 balls.
- Arrange the balls on the baking sheet in such a way that they’re all spaced out 2 inches, ensuring they’re adequately separated.
- Using your thumb, create a slight dip in the middle of the cookie then add approximately half a teaspoon of jam into the depression.
- Bake the cookies in an oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes or until they are firm, their size is slightly increased, and their bottoms are lightly golden.
- Cool the baking sheet for 10 minutes, afterwards transfer to a wire rack for completely cooling.
There you have it! As I promised, not a complicated recipe. These ghraybeh cookies are perfect as desserts for hosting family and friends, and even as an everyday snack. You should try them, and I assure you that you’ll love them. Happy baking!
