Maarouk

Maarouk is a Middle Eastern sweet bread, particularly popular in Syria and Lebanon, where it is often associated with Ramadan. Soft, fluffy, and slightly chewy, this enriched brioche-like bread is delicately sweet and infused with aromatic flavors of mahleb—a distinctive spice derived from cherry seeds that lends a subtle almond-like bitterness.

The dough, made with flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and milk, is kneaded to achieve a tender texture before being shaped into rounds or elongated loaves. While some versions are left plain, others are generously filled with date paste, chocolate, or nuts.

The bread is typically brushed with egg wash for a golden, glossy crust and topped with sesame seeds, nigella seeds, or a dusting of sugar. Maarouk is widely enjoyed as a breakfast or snack, often paired with tea or coffee. Its mildly sweet and aromatic profile, combined with a soft yet slightly chewy bite, makes it a comforting and satisfying treat, particularly during festive occasions.