{"id":"recipe_4a0f564f03","slug":"makroudh-traditional-north-african-date-pastry","title":"Makroudh (Traditional North African Date Pastry)","description":"A classic North African dessert featuring a golden semolina crust filled with spiced date paste, deep-fried until crisp, and soaked in a fragrant orange blossom honey syrup.","serves":24,"time":{"prepMinutes":45,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":75,"activeMinutes":60},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g semolina (medium/fine mix)","name":"Semolina","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3","usUnit":"cup","form":"medium and fine mix","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"150g unsalted butter, melted","name":"Butter","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"5.3","usUnit":"oz","form":"melted","notes":"unsalted","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 pinch of salt","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"100ml orange blossom water (divided)","name":"Orange Blossom Water","quantity":100,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"Use for dough, filling, and syrup","group":"Liquid","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"250g date paste","name":"Date Paste","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"8.8","usUnit":"oz","form":"smooth","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tsp ground cinnamon","name":"Cinnamon","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"250ml honey","name":"Honey","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"Vegetable oil for frying","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"As needed for deep frying","group":"Frying","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, mix the semolina and salt. Pour in the melted butter and rub the mixture between your palms until the semolina is well coated with fat. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Mix the semolina and salt","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Prepare the filling by mixing the date paste with ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of orange blossom water. Roll the paste into thin long cylinders (about 1cm diameter).","group":"Filling Preparation","title":"Prepare the filling","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Slowly add 60ml of orange blossom water mixed with a little warm water to the semolina. Mix with your fingertips without kneading until a soft, pliable dough forms.","group":"Dough Assembly","title":"Slowly add 60ml of orange blossom water mixed","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Take a handful of dough and roll it into a thick log. Create a deep groove along the center. Place a date paste cylinder in the groove and wrap the dough around it, sealing the edges. Roll slightly to smooth the surface.","group":"Assembly","title":"Take a handful of dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Flatten the log slightly and cut diagonally into diamond shapes. You can decorate the top with a knife or a traditional stamp.","group":"Assembly","title":"Flatten the log slightly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Heat oil to 180°C (350°F). Fry the makroudh in batches until they are deep golden brown. Drain for a few seconds.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat oil to 180°C","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"While still hot, plunge the pastries into slightly warmed honey mixed with the remaining orange blossom water. Let them soak for a few minutes to absorb the syrup, then drain on a wire rack.","group":"Finishing","title":"While still hot, plunge the pastries","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Ensure the semolina and butter mixture rests for at least 30 minutes to allow the grains to hydrate properly. When frying, the oil should be hot enough that the pastry sizzles immediately but doesn't brown too quickly.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Tunisian","Algerian","Moroccan"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["fry"],"equipment":["deep fryer or heavy pot","rolling pin","wire rack","slotted spoon"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":24,"unit":"pieces","note":"Yields approximately 2 dozen diamond-shaped pastries"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The date filling and the dry semolina/butter mix can be prepared a day in advance."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature. They taste better the next day as the syrup settles.","reheatingNotes":"Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_4a0f564f03%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c3fdc306-0ebc-4278-8535-fae9c1dc85b4","imageAlt":"Makroudh (Traditional North African Date Pastry) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["makroudh","dates","semolina","honey","pastry","maghreb","ramadan treats"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Makroudh (Traditional North African Date Pastry)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:34:59.084Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:34:59.084Z","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}]}