African Cookies

These crescent-shaped cookies are usually associated with Morocco, but they can be found throughout Algeria and Tunisia in slightly different forms and under various names. Their name translates as gazelle ankles, but they are better know... READ MORE

Makroud el louse are flourless Algerian cookies consisting of almonds, eggs, sugar, and a flavoring of orange flower water. Baked until lightly browned, these cookies are typically tossed in powdered sugar in order to be completely coated. Once co... READ MORE

Bradj, also known as mbardja, mteqba, or mbarja, is a traditional diamond-shaped pastry from the northeast, traditional consumed in Constantinois, Jijel, Bibans, and Kabylie region. This diamond-shaped delicacy consists ... READ MORE

These traditional Moroccan twice-baked cookies come in both sweet and savory versions. They are prepared with shortbread or yeasted dough that is usually enriched with orange blossom water, aniseed, or citrus zest, as well as toasted nuts and drie... READ MORE

Ghoriba are traditional Middle Eastern cookies that come in a few varieties – some can be chewy, while others have a shortbread-like, crumbly texture. The cookies are traditionally shaped into balls or disks, and often have characteristical ... READ MORE

Ma'amoul is an ancient cookie filled with fruits and nuts such as dates, walnuts, and pistachios. The cookies are traditionally prepared for Easter, festivals, and celebrations, and they are typically shaped into balls or domes. In order to differ... READ MORE

These tiny Moroccan cookies are prepared with a shortbread dough that is usually enriched with aniseed and toasted sesame seeds. The cookies are usually associated with Ashura festival—the tenth day of the first month of the Islamic... READ MORE

Hertzoggies are South African cookies consisting of light and puffy pastry tarts filled with apricot jam meringue. The crust is made with flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, nutmeg, butter, and egg yolks, while the filling contains apricot jam, sug... READ MORE

Ful sudani are traditional cookies originating from Sudan. These macaroons are usually made with a combination of egg whites, salt, sugar, vanilla, and peanuts. The peanuts are roasted, their skin is removed, and they're ground until grainy. Vanil... READ MORE

Cinq centimes or five-cent cookies is a classic street food item that is sold in almost every food market in the country, especially in Dakar. To make cinq centimes, round butter cookies (or simple sugar cookies) are topped with a layer o... READ MORE

Kaak malih are savory Libyan cookies consisting of flour, baking powder, oil, butter, milk, and salt. The dough, which is either braided or shaped into rings, is often decorated with sesame seeds before baking. Once baked and golden-brown, these l... READ MORE