Kahk 2023

"Kahk" is a traditional cookies that is done during Ramadan to celebrate "Eid El Fitr" which follows the Holy Month. "Kahk" is inherited from the Ancient Egyptian Era. Images and methods of the round cookies were found engraved on the walls of Luxor and Memphis temples, and in the tomb of Khufu at the Pyramids of Giza. It was mainly prepared from flour, ghee, and sesame seeds, and dusted with a generous amount of powder sugar. Then over the decades, additions has been made to enhance the flavour. You can buy it ready made, but nothing beats homemade. Even if it didnt succeed, the smell fills out the house, the fun and laughter of making it with your family builds a timeless memories from year to year; and you start to build a sense of taste of how you prefer Kahk, soft, or crumbly, plain or filled. Encourage youself and give it a try, and remember that only fails and mistakes makes perfect.

Ingredients: 

1 Kilo all purpose flour ( A trusted brand )

2 Tbsp roasted sesame seeds, or better white sesame and roast it yourself 

1/2 Tsp Salt

1/2 Tsp ground Kahk essence

1/2 Tsp ground mehleb محلب , or seeds and you roast it then grind it for strong Kahk smell 

1/4 Tsp Baking powder

550 g 100% Natural Ghee weighted before heating

1 Tbsp yeast 

2 Tbsp Powder sugar 

200 ml Warm water to touch

Ajwa Filling :

1/2 Kilo, add to it : 1 Tsp Annis seeds + 1 Tsp Fennel seeds + 1 Tsp Ground Cardamom + 1 Tsp Ghee. Mix them all together by crushing and squeezing the mixture between your fingers until well combined, then form them to olive size balls.

Pistachios Filling :

400 g Pistachios + 3 Tbsp powder sugar + 2 Tsp Blossom water + Honey or sherbet + 1/2 Tsp Ghee. Mix all together without the sherbet, then gradually add the sherbet or honey slowly to form a tender mixture that is easy to to shape into balls. Then shape it into olive size balls.

Method :

In a bowl, put the yeast and sugar, stir to mix, then add the warm water and lightly stir. Let aside for about 30-45 minutes until it rises. In a big heatproof bowl, sieve the flour, then add the dry ingredients. Mix with a spoon to combine the ingredients with the flour. Heat the ghee to a point just before it reaches the boiling point. Make a hole in the center of the flour mix, and carefully add the ghee. Because the ghee is so hot, first stir with a wooden spoon until you can make sure that the dough is no longer hot, start scrubbing the dough between your palms allowing the flour to absorb all the ghee. This stage is very important for the smoothness of the Kahk, so keep doing this for at least 10 minutes. After finishing this process, add the active yeast and gently mix to combine. Cover with a kitchen towel or cling film, and leave to rest for 15 minutes.

Set the scale beside you, and weigh small balls for a wieght of 20-25 g for the stuffed Kahk, and less for the plain ones about 15-20 g, and let rest again covered with a towel for about 15 minutes after rolling them.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling, I filled with Ajwa and Pistachios, You can find the ingredients written after the Kahk ingredients. Start adding your desired filling. I filled the mine with Pistachios and Ajwa, you can find its ingredients written after the Kahk ingredients.

Preheat the oven to 180*c

After preparing the filling, start stuffing the Kahk as shown in the video, you make a deep hole, put the filling deep inside and close the dough on it.

Place the Kahk on a baking tray, and insert to a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Test the Kahk by looking at the bottom of it using a spatula, and make sure it has turned into light golden, this mean it is done. If you want it to have a light golden look from above, you can turn on the grill for a minute or so until it turn light golden; but be careful with the grill on, you have to keep watching it cause every grill differs from oven to another.

Let cool, then place the Kahk on a serving plate. 

Serve the Kahk to enjoy with your family and friends with your favourite tea or herbal drink besides the Ghoryeba, and a selection of Eid cookies.

Enjoy Doing ,ِ And 

LOVE & ENJOY WHAT YOU DO..