Barazek

The name of these cookies, barazek, is the name of the most famous and popular cookie in Syria and Lebanon.

What are barazek? They are buttery, shortbread-like cookies covered with toasted sesame seeds on one side and studded with chopped pistachios on the other side.

Whenever someone in Beirut makes a short trip to Damascus, bringing a few boxes of these barazek is usually comissionned from the person travelling. Damascus is reputed for making the best barazek in the region.

Ingredients - Barazek:

• 2 cups Sesame seeds
• 1/3 cup Honey
• 2 Eggs
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Premium Ammonia Powder
• 1 3/4 cups Flour, sifted
• 2 cups Semolina Wheat Flour
• 1 dash Sea Salt
• 3 tablespoons Warm milk
• 1/2 cup White Pistachios
• 1 tablespoon Pure Ghee

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.Mix sesame seeds with honey.
2. In an electric mixer, cream eggs, ghee, and sugar together, until light and fluffy.
3. Sift the ammonia powder with the flour, semolina, and salt. Add to the egg mixture and blend thoroughly. Add milk gradually to form a dough.
4. Cut dough into small walnut-sized balls. Dip each ball into the pistachios, then flatten to form a 2-inch round cookie.
5. Place pistachio-covered side face down on a greased cookie sheet. Cover each with 1 Tablespoon of the sesame seed and honey mixture.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden.
7. Serve with Turkish coffee or hot tea.

Yield: 2 Dozens