Middle Eastern Cookie: Kaak

Today’s post is a recipe on a Middle Eastern Cookie known as Kaak. Kaak is a crunchy cookie that is perfect served with mint tea.  Growing up, I remember my grandma always making these cookies in bulk and storing them in a huge jar container, and it would last for months. These cookies are super delicious and very easy to make. The ingredients can be found in every household kitchen pantry. When I first asked for the recipe from my mother, I expected butter to be one of the ingredients. Nope, olive oil! You would think the flavor of the olive oil would be prominent in the cookie, but it is not. The cookie is also made savory, and I will be having a recipe on that very soon. Also,  I am working on a video tutorial on how to make these cookies. But for now, here is the recipe on how to make these delicious middle eastern cookies that are worth making time for. 

– 3 cups of all-purpose flour 

– 1 cup of granulated sugar 

– 1 cup of water 

– a teaspoon of a Zest of orange 

– half teaspoon of vanilla extract 

– 1 egg (optional, if you are vegan) 

– 1/2 cup of Olive Oil 

– 1/2 cup of vegetable oil 

– 2 teaspoons of baking powder 

– Teaspoon of Anise seeds

-Teaspoon of Sesame seeds 

– Mix all the wet ingredients together: egg, water, oil, vanilla extract, and zest. 

– Mix all the dry ingredients together: baking powder, sesame seeds, anise seeds and flour. 

– Incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredient. Mix until clump free. Mix with hand, until the dough has formed. 

– With the dough, shape 20 balls. 

– Then roll each ball out into a strip that is about 5 inches long. Take a fork and slightly make a small dent on the dough make a design. 

-Then take each end of the strip and form a circle and press each end together. 

– Do this same process for the rest of the dough balls. 

-Place each cookie on a baking pan that has parchment paper. 

– Bake the cookies for 20 minutes until golden color is formed at the edge of the cookie. 

After the cookies are done baking, let them cool for 10 minutes. Serve these Middle Eastern Kaak cookie with a mint tea. 

Enjoy! 

Happy Eating!