Baking Kahk: 5 Egyptian Eid Cookie Recipes with Different Fillings

With Eid Al-Fitr just around the corner, it’s a time of joy and celebration for Muslims all over the world. One of the most beloved traditions of this holiday is gathering with family and friends to make Kahk. This sweet, buttery Egyptian cookie covered in powdered sugar is a delectable treat often enjoyed during the festivities.  

Making Kahk is a labour of love that often requires the participation of several family members. It’s a classic tradition that brings people together in the spirit of community and friendship and adds an extra special touch to the already joyful occasion. Additionally, chefs in food programs on TV dedicate the last week of Ramadan presenting easy but applicable recipes for people to follow at home.

Let’s now delve into the exciting world of Kahk and explore different recipes for making it with various fillings at home easily and from scratch. 

A Brief History of Kahk

Baking Kahk is an old Egyptian tradition that goes back to Ancient Egypt. The walls of some temples are witnesses to such a happy celebration as we can see pictures of the ancient Egyptians while baking Kahk. Additionally, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, where a Kahk recipe was found, proves its Egyptian origins.

What’s interesting is that baking Kahk did not stop at the time of the pharaohs. Instead, it kept moving from one generation to another until it became an Islamic tradition. Over time, it became a popular delicacy among the populace and eventually evolved into the dessert we know and love today.

Different Fillings for Kahk

Some people prefer the Kahk plain, while others prefer it with different fillings like date paste, Turkish delight, or nuts. While the buttery and flaky dough of the Kahk is delicious on its own, adding a filling can take it to the next level. Let’s explore recipes for a variety of tasty fillings for Kahk.

1. Turkish Delight (Malban) Filling Recipe

Kahk stuffed with Turkish delight, known as Malban in Middle Eastern cuisine, is one of the most delicious tastes. Here is an easy recipe to get the best result:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon glucose syrup or honey
• 6 tablespoons corn flour
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon salt 
• 2 tablespoons rose water

Instructions:

1. Prepare a pot and use non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a pan, add the sugar, water, corn flour, and glucose syrup.
3. Add the pan over low-medium heat.
4. Stir all the ingredients until the sugar dissolves. 
5. Keep stirring until the mixture looks like a thick jelly.
6. Turn the heat on low and continue stirring for like 30 minutes.
7. Dissolve the lemon salt in 2 tablespoons of water.
8. Add the mixture to the pan.
9. Add the rose water and stir for 15 minutes.
10. Turn off the heat.
11. Pour the mixture into the pot 
12. Place the pot in the refrigerator until the delight chills.
13. Spray a sharp knife with oil, then cut the delight into small pieces.

2. Agamya Filling Recipe

Many people like Kahk stuffed with Agameya but do not know how to make it. Agameya is a special filling that gives Kahk an irresistible taste. Here is the perfect recipe for it:

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons ghee
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame
• 1 cup nuts

Instructions:

1. In a small pan, over low heat, add the ghee and the flour.
2. Mix the ghee and the flour well until the mixture gets a light golden colour.
3. Add the honey and stir until boiling.
4. Stir for 1 minute.
5. Remove the pan from the heat, then add the sesame and the nuts.
6. Leave it to cool down.

3. Walnuts Filling Recipe

Walnuts have a mildly sweet, buttery flavour and a crunchy texture, making them perfect as a filling for Kahk. Here’s how to make a delicious walnuts filling:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients until they form a dough.
2. Roll the dough, then cut it into small pieces.

4. Date Paste Filling Recipe

Date paste is a sweet, sticky paste made from pureed dates. It has a caramel-like flavour and a thick, gooey texture that makes it ideal for use in fillings for Kahk. Here is a simple recipe for date paste filling:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups soft pitted dates
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon sesame
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon spice

Instructions:

1. On a baking sheet, place the dates and adjust the oven to 130C for 1 hour. 
2. Leave the dates to cool down.
3. Place the date and add the water into a blender or food processor.
4. Blend well.
5. In a pan over low heat, add the date paste and the butter.
6. Mix the date paste with the butter well.
7. Add the sesame and the cinnamon.
8. Mix all the ingredients well.
9. Leave the mixture to cool.

Different Kahk Recipes

Did you know that there are many different ways to make Kahk? In this section, we’ll take you on a journey through some of our favourite recipes, from traditional versions that have been passed down through generations to modern twists that feature unique flavours and ingredients.

Here are different easy recipes with clear instructions and simple ingredients:

1. Plain Kahk Recipe

If you prefer plain Kahk and want the exact taste of that sold in shops, this recipe is for you. You can simply get ready with the below-mentioned ingredients and follow the instructions to enjoy the sweet taste with the delicate texture. 

Ingredients:

• 1 kg all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon Kahk seasoning
• ½ kg butter
• ⅓ cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 

Instructions:

1. Add the sugar and the yeast to the warm water and leave them aside.
2. Melt 3 to 4 spoons of butter over medium-low heat.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds to the ghee over the same heat for a minute.
4. Remove from the heat.
5. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt.
6. Make a shallow well to the flour, then add the ghee.
7. Add the remaining butter to the flour.
8. Use a spatula to mix the flour with the ghee and butter. 
9. Mix the dough for 15 minutes to blend the ingredients well.
10. Add the yeast mixture to the dough.
11. Mix all the ingredients gently.
12. Let the dough sit for only 2 to 3 minutes.
13. Roll each 30g of dough into a ball.
14. Use a stamper or a fork to decorate the Kahk, then place it on the baking sheets.
15. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
16. Bake the Kahk for 10 to 15 minutes until the bottom gets a light golden brown colour. 
17. Remove from the oven, let the Kahk cool completely, and then decorate it as you prefer.

2. Kahk Recipe with Cake Flour

One of the simplest ways to guarantee a successful baking recipe is to use cake flour. Here’s how to make delicious Kahk using cake flour:

Ingredients:

• 1kg cake flour
• ½ kg ghee at room temperature
• ¾ cup cold water
• ¼ cup cold milk
• ¼ teaspoon Kahk seasoning
• 5 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 25g toasted sesame

Instructions:

1. Mix the cold water and milk.
2. Add the powdered sugar, then stir.
3. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, Kahk seasoning, sesame, vanilla, yeast and salt.
4. Add the ghee.
5. Mix all the ingredients until well combined and the dough turns creamy.
6. Add the liquids (the water and milk mixture) gradually.
7. Knead the dough until it becomes soft, pliable, and not too sticky or dry.
8. To test the dough, roll a piece into a ball and flatten it slightly. Using a fork, prick the surface of the dough a few times. If the dough cracks, it is too dry and needs more moisture; if it’s too sticky, it needs more flour. 
9. Once the dough has the right consistency, leave it to rest for 10 minutes. 
10. Roll each 30g of dough into a small ball.
11. Make a little dent in the centre of the dough ball to add your favourite filling as desired, then roll again.
12. Repeat the same steps for each ball of dough.
13. Use a stamper or a fork to decorate the Kahk, then place it on the baking sheets.
14. Preheat the oven to 160°C.
15. Bake the Kahk for 20 minutes until the bottom gets a light golden brown colour. 
16. Remove from the oven and let the Kahk cool completely before dusting it with powdered sugar.

3. Kahk Recipe with Powdered Milk

One of the magic ingredients in Kahk recipes is powdered milk. Some people add powdered milk to the recipe to get a creamy and soft texture. To make Kahk with powdered milk, you can simply follow the instructions below:

Ingredients:

• 1kg flour
• ½ teaspoon Kahk seasoning
• 3 teaspoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons powdered milk
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• ½ kg ghee
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, add the flour, seasoning, sugar, powdered milk, and yeast.
2. In a small pan, over low heat, add the ghee and let it for 3 minutes.
3. Make a shallow well to the flour mixture, then add the ghee.
4. Mix all the dry ingredients well with the ghee for not less than 10 minutes.
5. Add the salt to the water, then stir until dissolved.
6. Add the water to the dough gradually while mixing but do not over-mix it.
7. Roll the dough into small balls.
8. Make a little dent in the centre of the dough ball to add your favourite filling as desired, then roll again.
9. Repeat the same steps for each ball of dough.
10. Use a stamper or a fork to decorate the Kahk, then place it on the baking sheets.
11. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
12. Bake the Kahk for about 15 minutes in the middle position until the bottom gets a light golden brown colour. 
13. Remove from the oven, let the Kahk cool completely, and then dust with the powdered sugar.

4. Kahk Recipe with Powdered Sugar

Adding powdered sugar to the Kahk recipe brings sweetness to the dough and helps to create a tender, crumbly texture. It also helps get the light brown colour. Here’s a Kahk recipe with powdered sugar:

Ingredients:

• 1kg flour
• ½ kg ghee
• 200g water
• 100g sugar
• 20g yeast
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon Kahk seasoning
• 2 teaspoons powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Add the ghee to a small pan over low-medium heat and simmer until it melts.
2. Mix the sugar, yeast and water in a medium bowl, then leave them aside.
3. In a large bowl, add the dry ingredients (flour, sesame, salt, baking powder, and Kahk seasoning) and mix them well.
4. Add the ghee to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
5. Add the powdered sugar.
6. Add the mixture of water, yeast and sugar.
7. Mix all the ingredients until they form a cohesive, soft dough.
8. Leave the dough for 15 minutes to rest.
9. Cut the dough into small pieces and make a little dent in the centre of each piece to add your favourite filling as desired.
10. Roll each piece into a small ball. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
11. Use a stamper or a fork to decorate the Kahk, then place it on the baking sheets.
12. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
13. Bake the Kahk for about 15 minutes until the bottom gets a light golden brown colour. 
14. Remove from the oven, let the Kahk cool completely, and then dust with the powdered sugar.

5. Kahk Recipe With Milk

One of the distinctive additions to Kahk recipes is milk. It enhances the flavours and helps the texture to be softer. Here is an easy recipe to follow:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups ghee
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon yeast.
• 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sesame

Instructions:

1. Add the ghee to a small pan over low heat and simmer until it melts.
2. Mix ¼ cup of milk, yeast and sugar in a large bowl.
3. In another bowl, mix the flour and the sesame.
4. Pour the melted ghee into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
5. Add the liquids mixture (milk- yeast- sugar) and mix all the ingredients to make the dough.
6. Add the remaining milk gradually while combining the dough gently.
7. Leave the dough to rest for 1 hour.
8. Form the dough into small balls.
9. Make a little dent in the centre of the dough ball to add your favourite filling as desired, then roll again.
10. Repeat the same steps for each ball of dough.
11. Place the Kahk on a baking sheet.
12. Use a stamper or a fork to decorate the Kahk.
13. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
14. Adjust the baking sheet in the middle position, and bake for about 20 minutes until the bottom gets a light golden brown colour. 
15. Remove from the oven, let the Kahk cool completely, and then dust with the powdered sugar.

Get Together and Enjoy the Eid with the Delicious Kahk

After enjoying the special desserts of the holy month of Ramadan, you can make this Eid special and share your homemade Kahk with your family and friends. You simply choose your preferred recipe for the Kahk and the filling, get ready with all the ingredients, and enjoy the taste. What’s your favourite filling?

Share with our social media