Taj al malek, meaning king’s crowns, are decadent little sweets made with shredded phyllo dough (kataifi), sugar syrup, and roasted pistachios. Kataifi dough is first shaped into little nests, dried, brushed with clarified butter, then baked until golden brown.

Each pastry is then topped with pistachios and drenched in a sugar syrup flavored with lemon juice, rose water, and orange blossom water. The syrup must be thick enough to hold the nuts together, but not too thick, because it must remain chewy once cooled.

Pistachios can be replaced with other nuts such as almonds, cashews, and even peanuts - regardless of the filling, taj al malek are sugary treats worthy of kings.