Barazek

Method20 steps · about 1 hr 35 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Mix the honey (5 tablespoons) and water (¼ cup) in a small saucepan.

   Uses 5 tablespoons honey · ¼ cup water

2. 2

   Step 2: Place over medium heat and simmer, stirring until honey dissolves. This step lasts about 3 minutes.

   Uses honey syrup

3. 3

   Step 3: Remove from heat and let cool.

   Uses honey syrup

4. 4

   Step 4: Mix the flour (3 cups) and baking powder (1 teaspoon).

   Uses 3 cups flour (sifted) · 1 teaspoon baking powder

5. 5

   Step 5: Roast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until lightly browned. Let cool.

   Uses 1¼ cup white sesame seeds

6. 6

   Step 6: In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the butter, egg (1) and sugar (¾ cup) with the beater until obtaining a cream.

   Uses ⅘ cup unsalted butter (at room temperature) · 1 egg · ¾ cup caster sugar

7. 7

   Step 7: Add the mahleb (1 teaspoon) (or mahalepi), vinegar and vanilla (½ teaspoon) and mix.

   Uses 1 teaspoon ground mahleb (or mahalepi) · 1 tablespoon white vinegar · ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

8. 8

   Step 8: Add the baking powder and flour mixture and using the flat beater, mix until smooth. Do not knead too long.

   Uses flour and baking powder mixture

9. 9

   Step 9: Gradually add the milk (⅓ cup) to form a smooth dough.

   Uses ⅓ cup milk (at room temperature)

10. 10

    Step 10: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 45 minutes.

    Rest dough · 45 minUses barazek dough

11. 11

    Step 11: Preheat oven to 320 F (160°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

12. 12

    Step 12: Pour the honey syrup into a large deep plate and add the sesame seeds. Mix.

    Uses cooled honey syrup · toasted sesame seeds

13. 13

    Step 13: Place the chopped pistachios (½ cup) on a plate.

    Uses ½ cup raw peeled pistachios (chopped or finely crushed)

14. 14

    Step 14: Form balls of dough the size of a walnut.

    Uses rested barazek dough

15. 15

    Step 15: Squeeze each ball of dough on the pistachios, to flatten them a little.

    Uses dough balls · chopped pistachios

16. 16

    Step 16: Turn each biscuit over and dip in the honey syrup and sesame seeds mixture.

    Uses pistachio-coated cookies · honey syrup and sesame coating

17. 17

    Step 17: Place the cookies on the baking sheet with the sesame seed side up, spacing them approximately 1 inch (2,5 cm).

    Uses coated cookies

18. 18

    Step 18: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turning them halfway, until the edges are golden brown.

    Bake cookies · 30 minUses shaped barazek

19. 19

    Step 19: Remove from the oven and leave on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a rack to let them cool completely.

    Cool on sheet · 5 minUses baked barazek

20. 20

    Step 20: Keep the barazek in an airtight metal container.

    Uses cooled barazek