Twelve Days of Desserts: Day Eleven

From Nile Style: Egyptian Cuisine and Culture


Alexandria, Egypt's famous bakeries, like Patisserie Vinous often showcase these cookies stacked high on enormous trays. Mahlab, which is made from crushed cherry kernels, is the star of these ring - shaped cookies. It is a widely used ingredient throughout the Middle East. These cookies can be stored in the freezer for up to one month. They are wonderful additions to celebratory cookie trays, and are delicious with coffee or tea for breakfast.

Cherry Kernal Cookies
Mahlabayat
Makes about 4 dozen

Ingredients:

1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup expeller pressed corn oil
½ cup sugar
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
4 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons ground cherry kernals, mahlab*
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon anise extract

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Place the butter, corn oil, ½ cup water, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Cream together until everything is evenly incorporated. Add the flour, baking powder, ground cherry kernels, salt, and anise. Stir well to form a dough. Break off pieces of the dough and form into balls.Place the balls 2-inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Press the balls flat and make a hole in the center by using the base of a wooden spoon. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and cool on cookie sheets.
* Found in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean markets