Hi friends! Today, I’m sharing a super easy and delicious recipe for Ghraybeh cookies! These traditional Middle Eastern cookies are soft, buttery, and literally melt in your mouth. The best part? You only need three ingredients to make them! Let’s get started!
Method
Mixing the Dough
Start by placing the softened butter in a large mixing bowl. Using a mixer or hand mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until it becomes light, smooth, and creamy. This step is crucial for achieving the delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture of Ghraybeh cookies. Once the butter reaches a smooth consistency, gradually add the icing sugar. Continue mixing until the sugar is fully incorporated and the mixture looks fluffy and uniform.
Next, it’s time to add the flour. Slowly add one cup of flour at a time, mixing well between each addition. This method ensures that the flour blends evenly without creating lumps. The dough should start to come together into a soft, pliable consistency that holds its shape when pressed. Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the delicate texture of the cookies.
Chilling the Dough
Once the dough is well combined, gather it into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes. Chilling is important because it helps the dough firm up, making it easier to shape and ensuring the cookies hold their structure while baking. If the dough is too soft, it may spread too much in the oven.
Shaping the Cookies
After the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes if it feels too firm to work with. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out small pieces of dough and roll them between your hands to form smooth, even-sized balls. Each cookie should be about an inch in diameter.
Place the dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them slightly apart. These cookies don’t spread much while baking, so they don’t need a lot of space. If you’d like to add a decorative touch, gently press a pistachio into the center of each cookie, pressing just enough to secure it in place without flattening the dough too much.
Baking the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the oven is heated, place the baking sheet on the middle rack and bake for 15-17 minutes. It’s important to watch them closely, as Ghraybeh cookies should remain pale and not develop a golden brown color. The cookies will be done when they are firm to the touch but still light in color.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. Since they are very delicate while warm, moving them too soon can cause them to break apart. As they cool, they will firm up, developing their signature buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or hand mixer
- Measuring cups
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Spoon or cookie scoop
Ghraybeh Cookies Recipe
Cuisine: LebaneseDifficulty: Easy24
servings10
minutes17
minutes27
minutesIngredients
1 ½ cups unsalted butter (softened)
1 ¼ cups icing sugar
3 cups flour
Optional: Pistachios for decoration
Directions
- Mixing the Dough: Start by placing the softened butter in a large mixing bowl. Using a mixer or hand mixer, beat the butter until it becomes smooth and creamy. This step helps create the melt-in-your-mouth texture we love in Ghraybeh cookies. Next, add the icing sugar and continue mixing until the butter and sugar are completely combined and smooth. Now, it’s time to add the flour. Add one cup of flour at a time, mixing well after each addition. This helps to evenly incorporate the flour into the dough and prevents clumping. The dough should be soft but firm enough to hold its shape when pressed together.
- Chilling the Dough: Once the dough is well mixed, press it together into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it easier to shape and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Shaping the Cookies: After chilling, take the dough out of the refrigerator. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, take small portions of dough and roll them between your hands to form smooth balls. Place each ball on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. For a traditional touch, gently press a pistachio into the center of each cookie.
- Baking the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the cookies for 15-17 minutes. Keep an eye on them Ghraybeh cookies should stay pale and should not turn golden brown. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet before handling, as they are very delicate while warm.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is properly softened before mixing; this ensures a smooth dough.
- Don’t overmix the dough after adding flour, or the cookies may become too dense.
- The cookies should not brown in the oven; they are meant to stay pale, so check them at the 15-minute mark.
- Let the cookies cool completely before moving them, as they can easily crumble while still warm.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect with a hot cup of tea or coffee. They also pair well with Arabic coffee for a traditional Middle Eastern treat. You can serve them on a festive platter with other sweets like baklava or maamoul.
Fun Fact
Ghraybeh cookies are believed to have originated centuries ago and are often served during special occasions and celebrations in Middle Eastern households. Their simple ingredients and delicate texture make them a favorite for all ages!
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy making and eating these delicious Ghraybeh cookies as much as I do! With just three simple ingredients, they are easy to whip up and perfect for any occasion. Let me know how yours turn out happy baking!
