Moroccan sesame pastry chebakia

Name: Moroccan sesame pastry chebakia
Prep time: 1 h 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 25 cupcakes
Ingredients: 500 g plain flour; 100 g sesame seeds; 50 g ground almonds; 80 g butter; 1 pc egg; 1 teaspoon anise; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 pinch saffron; 2 tablespoons rose water; sunflower oil; 300 g honey; 3 tablespoons sesame seeds

Eduard LáskaSweetMoroccan Cuisine x se líbilo

Chebakia are a Moroccan sweet pastry traditionally fried during Ramadan. The delicate sesame pastry is shaped into fine flowers, fried until golden and, while still hot, soaked in honey. The honey seeps into the dough, coats it with a glossy sheen and joins the anise, cinnamon and saffron. A final scatter of sesame adds crunch. It smells of spice and tastes sweet, crisp and sticky in the same bite.

Příprava: 1h 10min

Vaření: 20min

CELKOVÝ ČAS: 1h 30min

Step by step process

Preparing the Dough

1
The sesame pastry chebakia draws its flavour from well-balanced spices. Mix plain flour with toasted sesame seeds, ground almonds, ground anise and ground cinnamon. Dissolve the saffron in a tablespoon of warm water and let it steep for 5 minutes.
2
Add softened butter and work it in with your hands until crumbly. Mix in the egg, rose water and saffron water. Knead into a smooth, non-sticky dough for about 5 minutes. Wrap in cling film and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Shaping

3
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 2 mm thick. Cut into 8x4 cm rectangles. Make 4 to 5 lengthwise cuts in each, leaving 1 cm borders intact. Thread one end through the slits and pull it through. This creates the characteristic flower shape.

Frying and Glazing

4
Heat oil in a deep pot to 170 °C. Fry the pastries in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes until golden, turning once. Remove and briefly drain on paper towels.
5
Heat honey in a wide saucepan over medium heat. Place the hot pastries straight into the warm honey and let them absorb for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove, shake off excess honey and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Leave to cool on a wire rack.