Kahk Cookies: Celebrate Eid al-Fitr!
Eid al-Fitr is a joy-filled celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims across the world, including in Egypt, fast from sunrise to sunset for 30 days. During the fasting period, they cannot eat or drink anything. This fasting is a time for self-reflection and studying the holy text of the Qur’an. After 30 days of dedication and sacrifice, Ramadan comes to an end and Eid al-Fitr begins!
Eid al-Fitr translates to “Festival of Breaking Fast” and is a time of celebration, family, and feasting. In Egypt, Eid al-Fitr lasts for three days, the first day dedicated to family and the second and third days dedicated to friends and community. During Eid al-Fitr, Egypt’s streets are flooded with carnivals, performers, and storytellers. Children are traditionally given gifts of money and new clothing, and families gather to cook and eat with each other.
One of the most common Eid al-Fitr delicacies is the kahk cookie. Kahk cookies are typically filled with a sweet honey-nut filling called agameya and rolled in fluffy powdered sugar. Families all across Egypt look forward to these cookies every year. Make your own kahk cookies today to honor the holy celebration of Eid al-Fitr!
Dough Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 ¼ cup ghee
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 tbsp dry yeast
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Agameya (Filling) Ingredients
- 2 tbsp flour
- 3 tbsp ghee or butter
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 cup walnuts
How to Make Kahk Cookies
Dough:
Step 1: Melt the ghee until it starts to bubble. Make sure it doesn’t burn.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix together the flour and cinnamon. Add the hot ghee little by little, stirring with a spoon. Let mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3: Dissolve the sugar and dry yeast in the milk. Add the milk to the flour mixture and mix well with hands until it forms a nice dough. Leave for an hour.
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Agameya:
Step 1: Melt the ghee or butter in a pan. Add flour and whisk vigorously until the mixture is golden.
Step 2: Take it off the heat and add sesame seeds, honey, and walnuts. Return to low heat and keep stirring until the mixture thickens. Let it cool and form into small balls.
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Assembly:
Step 1: Take a piece of dough and form it into a ball. Make an indent with your thumb and place an agameya ball in the middle. Roll the ball of dough so that the agameya is covered.
Step 2: Place finished balls on a cookie sheet and press slightly to flatten. You can create designs on your cookies by lightly pressing on them with a fork to create patterns.
Step 3: Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes until golden. Let cookies cool.
Step 4: Coat with powdered sugar and enjoy!
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Recipe adapted from: Amira’s Pantry
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