{"id":"recipe_54a7e70f8e","slug":"chebakia-moroccan-sesame-cookies","title":"Chebakia (Moroccan Sesame Cookies)","description":"A classic Moroccan festive treat, Chebakia is a flower-shaped sesame cookie deep-fried until golden and then submerged in hot honey infused with orange flower water. These aromatic, crunchy, and honey-soaked delights are traditionally served during Ramadan.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":90,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":120,"activeMinutes":120},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3 3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"all-purpose","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"125g toasted sesame seeds, finely ground","name":"Sesame Seed","quantity":125,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"toasted and ground","notes":"Should be like a paste","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 tbsp ground aniseed","name":"Aniseed","quantity":1,"unit":"tbsp","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tbsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 tsp ground cinnamon","name":"Cinnamon","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/2 tsp baking powder","name":"Baking Powder","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 pinch saffron threads, crumbled","name":"Saffron","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"pinch","form":"threads","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"50g unsalted butter, melted","name":"Butter","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1.75","usUnit":"oz","form":"melted, unsalted","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"50ml olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":50,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"75ml orange flower water","name":"Orange flower water","quantity":75,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 tsp vinegar","name":"Vinegar","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 egg yolk","name":"Egg Yolk","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"piece","form":"yolk","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"500g honey","name":"Honey","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1.1","usUnit":"lb","form":"","notes":"For soaking","group":"Coating","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"1 liter vegetable oil for frying","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":"1.1","usUnit":"qt","form":"","notes":"For deep frying","group":"Frying","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Grind the toasted sesame seeds in a food processor until they form a very fine powder or smooth paste. Ensure there are no large bits as they will tear the dough later.","group":"Prep","title":"Grind the toasted sesame seeds","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prep"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground sesame seeds, aniseed, cinnamon, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.","group":"Dough","title":"Whisk together the flour, ground sesame seeds, aniseed, cinnamon","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the melted butter, olive oil, orange flower water (with saffron threads dissolved in it), vinegar, and egg yolk. Knead the mixture until a stiff, smooth dough forms. If too dry, add a tiny bit more orange flower water.","group":"Dough","title":"Add the melted butter, olive oil, orange flower water, vinegar, and egg yolk","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Divide the dough into portions, roll out very thin, and cut into squares with 4 internal slits. Fold the corners to create the signature flower shape.","group":"Shaping","title":"Divide the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (177°C). Fry the cookies in batches until they are a deep golden brown on both sides.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat vegetable oil","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Immediately drop the hot cookies into warm honey. Let them soak for a few minutes to absorb the sweetness, then remove and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.","group":"Finishing","title":"Immediately drop the hot cookies","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"The key to a good Chebakia is grinding the sesame seeds very finely so the dough doesn't tear. The 'rose' folding technique takes practice but is iconic.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Moroccan"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["food processor","pasta machine or rolling pin","fluted pastry cutter","deep fryer or heavy pot","spider strainer"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","eggs","sesame","milk"],"difficulty":"hard","yield":{"amount":50,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes approximately 50 cookies"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The dough can be prepared a day in advance and kept chilled, or the finished cookies can be made up to 2 weeks ahead."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crunch.","reheatingNotes":"Not recommended for reheating; best served at room temperature."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_54a7e70f8e%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8df6a30f-e031-47f4-86f3-296a5aa3bfbd","imageAlt":"Chebakia (Moroccan Sesame Cookies) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["ramadan","honey","sesame","moroccan","pastry","fried"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Chebakia (Moroccan Sesame Cookies)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:38:46.314Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:38:46.314Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_ff7317ca1a","slug":"basbousa-egyptian-b8fb751d","title":"Basbousa with Lemon Syrup","description":"A traditional Middle Eastern and North African semolina cake, soaked in a fragrant simple syrup and topped with almonds. It is moist, dense, and perfectly sweet.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":55,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Egyptian","North African"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ff7317ca1a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f949f5dc-d4a5-4104-96cc-149b15f42f44","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Lemon Syrup — recipe cover","tags":["semolina","sweet","cake","traditional","middle eastern","dessert"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":6},{"id":"bofrot_60aa63f14d","slug":"bofrot","title":"Bofrot","description":"A classic West African deep-fried dough snack, particularly popular in Ghana, known for its golden-brown exterior and soft, spongy interior.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ghanaian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbofrot_60aa63f14d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=dc35737d-86e3-4bfe-8e36-ea51c85bda98","imageAlt":"Bofrot — recipe cover","tags":["west african","street food","fried dough","spongy","sweet snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":7},{"id":"bouye_f6c3b55cf7","slug":"bouye-baobab-fruit-drink","title":"Bouye (Baobab Fruit Drink)","description":"A thick, creamy, and tangy traditional West African drink made from the nutrient-dense fruit of the baobab tree.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Senegalese"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbouye_f6c3b55cf7%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e6898e06-d939-4b3d-8e31-692c9553c209","imageAlt":"Bouye (Baobab Fruit Drink) — recipe cover","tags":["baobab","african drink","senegalese","creamy","vitamin c","exotic juice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}