Moroccan Pastries You Have To Try

Perfect with a cup of mint tea and shared amongst friends new and old, Moroccan pastries are ideal for those with a sweet tooth. Using local ingredients including orange blossom water, rose water, almonds and dates in many of the recipes, the sweet treats here are irresistible and plentiful. Served during special occasions – including weddings and Ramadan – but also during tea time, travelers are sure to sample a few varieties during their stay in Morocco.

M’hanncha

Flaky and sweet, this coiled filo pastry is stuffed with almond frangipane with a subtle hint of rose water. It may be prepared in a large coil and cut up into smaller slices, or as mini m’hanncha coiled to create individual pieces.

Date cookies

Shortbread pastry filled with dates and sweetened with orange blossom water and even cinnamon before receiving a dusting of icing sugar, date cookies are pure goodness. With dates a regional product, they are often made with only the finest ingredients.

Cornes de gazelle (gazelle horns)
Crescent-shaped like a gazelle horn as the name suggests, cornes de gazelle are one of the most popular treats you may be served and one you mustn’t miss out on. Stuffed with almonds and cinnamon and wrapped in a soft pastry, this crumbly biscuit should be moist with a subtle after taste provided by orange blossom water.

Fekkas

The Moroccan version of biscotti, these biscuits are also twice baked and include almonds and sesame seeds, and the pastry is often sweetened with vanilla. The main difference between fekkas and biscotti is that the Moroccan biscuits are often cut thinner than the Italian equivalent, making them exceptionally crunchy.

Chebakya
Popular during Ramadan when sweet chebakya graces every ftour table after a day of fasting, shops set up specifically to sell this popular treat during the holy month. But it’s available year round as it is also a popular side to a bowl of harira soup (lentil soup with a tomato base). This fried pastry – completely covered in honey and rose water with sesame seeds sprinkled on top – oozes goodness with every bite. Just be careful not to indulge on too many; one or two is often enough.