Arabic Cardamom Shortbread (Gorayba)

lemoncurd's Note:

These cookies are made all over the Middle East. Each country and each household has their favourite recipe. The traditional shape is a horse shoe with the 2 ends pinched together and a nut is placed where they meet. I only do that if I am receiving guests or for a special occasion.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 50

Yield: 50.0 cookies

• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cardamom (optional) or 1 tablespoon orange flower water or 1 tablespoon rose water (optional)
• 1 cup pure ghee
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 50 blanchedalmond halves or 50 walnuts or 50 pine nuts or 50 pistachios
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

1. Melt ghee in a saucepan on the stove.
2. Add icing sugar to ghee and mix till sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Add cardamom and gradually add in the flour and baking soda.
5. Mix well. dough should not stick to your hand.
6. Add more flour if necessary.
7. Roll 1 tsp of dough at a time into balls.
8. Place onto an oven tray, flatten slightly.
9. Place a nut of your choice in the middle of each cookie.
10. Bake at 180°C for 10 minutes, or until tops are cream.

Reviews

[Chef #302958]

Lemoncurd, these cookies are beautiful. I made my own ghee for these, and was amazed at how simple it all was! Smooth and buttery with an exotic hint of cardamom, these will make a perfect addition to my Christmas cookie bags. Thanks for the recipe!

[Ranoush]

The cookies were WONDERFUL!!!This is my childrens favorite Arabic cookie. It was so simple to make. THANX;)

[Cookgirl]

Fabulous, Fabulous, Fabulous! Used walnuts and even though I used the cardamom, I also added about 1/4 teaspoon orange blossom water. Thanks for sharing, Lemon! cg ;)