Ghraybeh is one of the most famous Arabic sweets, known for its delicate texture that melts in the mouth and its rich flavor from ghee or butter. It is served on special occasions and holidays as a light treat loved by everyone. In this article, we will explore the ideal method to prepare Ghraybeh, step by step, along with the ingredients, and highlight the differences between Syrian, Lebanese, Tunisian, and Libyan recipes.
Ingredients for Soft Ghraybeh with Ghee:
- 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cold ghee
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla to enhance the flavor
- A pinch of salt to bring out the taste
- 2 tablespoons milk powder (optional, adds extra smoothness)
- Almonds or pistachios for decoration, as desired
Preparation Method:
Preparing the Dough:
- In a large bowl, beat the cold ghee with the powdered sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and fluffy.
- Gradually add the sifted flour with a pinch of salt and the vanilla, and knead the dough by hand for at least 15 minutes until it becomes soft and smooth.
- You can add 2 tablespoons of milk powder (optional) to enhance the smoothness of the dough.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes to ensure it firms up and the ingredients blend well.
Time Breakdown:
- Dough preparation and kneading: approximately 20 minutes
- Rest time: 15 minutes
- Baking time: 14 minutes at 170°C
Shaping and Baking Ghraybeh:
- Divide the dough into small, equal-sized balls.
- Arrange the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving slight spaces between them.
- Decorate each piece with an almond or pistachio, gently pressing it down.
- Preheat the oven to 170°C and bake the ghraybeh for 14 minutes, just until it turns a light golden color on the bottom, without changing the color of the top.
- Remove the ghraybeh from the oven and let it cool slightly before decorating and serving.
Decoration:
- Once the ghraybeh cools slightly, you can sprinkle a thin layer of powdered sugar to enhance the flavor.
- You can leave it plain or decorate it with almonds or pistachios, as desired.
Serving:
- Serve the ghraybeh warm or at room temperature with a cup of Arabic coffee or tea.
- Store it in an airtight container to maintain its crispiness and flavor for as long as possible.
Differences in Ghraybeh Preparation Across Arab Countries:
- Syrian Ghraybeh: Shaped into small balls or discs and decorated with almonds or pistachios. Ghee is used, and sometimes rose water is added to enhance the flavor.
- Lebanese Ghraybeh: Known for its extra softness, sometimes cornstarch is added for a more delicate texture, and butter is used instead of ghee.
- Tunisian Ghraybeh: Semolina flour and lemon zest or vanilla are added, and it is baked until it turns a dark golden color. It often takes decorative shapes like crescents.
- Libyan Ghraybeh: Milk powder is added for a firm texture, and sometimes cardamom is mixed into the dough to give it a unique flavor. It is shaped into thick discs or fingers.
Crispy Ghraybeh Recipes: From Plain to Date-Filled
How to Make Plain Ghraybeh
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cold ghee
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- A pinch of salt and vanilla
Preparation:
- Whisk the ghee and powdered sugar together until creamy.
- Add the flour, salt, and vanilla, and knead until a smooth dough forms.
- Shape the dough into small balls, decorate with almonds, and bake at 170°C for 14 minutes until crisp (keep it white).
How to Make Semolina Ghraybeh (Bahleh)
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup fine semolina
- 1 cup ghee
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
Preparation:
- In a bowl, mix the flour and semolina together.
- Follow the same steps as the plain ghraybeh, but add the semolina with the flour.
- Bake until light golden.
How to Make Chickpea Ghraybeh
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup chickpea flour
- 1 cup ghee
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Preparation:
- Mix chickpea flour with the all-purpose flour.
- Follow the same steps as the plain ghraybeh but reduce the baking time (10-12 minutes) to preserve the softness.
How to Make Crispy Ghraybeh Without an Electric Mixer
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Cold ghee
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla
Steps:
- In a large bowl, mix cold ghee with powdered sugar by hand until the mixture is creamy.
- Gradually add the flour with a pinch of salt and ½ teaspoon vanilla.
- Shape into small balls and bake at 170°C for 12-14 minutes.
Stuffed Ghraybeh (with Dates or Nuts)
Ingredients:
- Basic ghraybeh dough + filling (mashed dates, pistachios, or chocolate)
Steps:
- Shape the dough into small discs.
- Place the date paste or ground pistachios in the center of each disc.
- Seal it tightly into a ball and bake until light golden.
How to Make Palestinian Ghraybeh
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Ghee
- Powdered sugar
- Rose water or ground cardamom
Differences:
- The dough is mixed with a pinch of cardamom or a few drops of rose water.
- Shape into flat discs and decorate with pistachios.
- Bake until light golden.
How to Make Aleppo Ghraybeh
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Ghee
- Powdered sugar
- Cornstarch (for crispness)
Differences:
- Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the flour to increase crispness.
- Shape into rings or flowers and decorate with Aleppo pistachios.
- Bake at a low temperature (160°C) to maintain its white color.
Tips for Successful Ghrayba and Avoiding Mistakes
- Use only cold ghee, and avoid butter as it makes the dough dry.
- Do not add eggs, as ghrayba does not require them at all.
- Grind the sugar twice to make it perfectly fine.
- Knead the dough for 15 minutes to achieve a smooth and non-cracked texture.
- Bake the ghrayba at 170°C for only 14 minutes, and remove them as soon as the base turns a light golden color to prevent them from drying out.
- Do not leave them in the oven after turning it off to avoid dryness.
Healthy Alternatives
- Vegetable ghee can replace ghee, but it affects the taste.
- Ground coconut sugar can replace powdered sugar.
- Almond flour or oat flour can replace white flour (with slight differences in texture).
- You can omit powdered milk or substitute it with dried coconut milk.
Side Dishes to Pair with Ghrayba
- Hot beverages: Arabic coffee, black tea, or herbal tea to enhance the flavor.
- Eastern sweets: Such as basbousa or Nablus kunafa for a diverse offering.
- Dried fruits and nuts: Like dates or roasted almonds to balance the taste.
Healthy Alternative Recipes
- Almond Flour Ghrayba: Replace white flour with almond flour for a low-carb version.
- Oatmeal Ghrayba: Use oat flour instead of regular flour for more fiber.
- Coconut Oil Ghrayba: A substitute for ghee for those who prefer healthy plant-based fats.
- Coconut Sugar Ghrayba: A healthy alternative to powdered sugar with a rich taste.
Warnings for Vegetarians and Those on Special Diets
- Vegetarians: This recipe is suitable for vegetarians as it does not contain eggs, but make sure the ghee used is plant-based if needed.
- Diabetics: It's best to replace powdered sugar with an appropriate sugar substitute like stevia or coconut sugar.
- Low-Carb Dieters: Almond flour can replace white flour, and the sugar amount can be reduced or replaced with keto-friendly sugar.
- Children: It’s recommended to reduce the sugar and add natural flavorings like vanilla or cinnamon to enhance the taste.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ghrayba
- Why does ghrayba become dry or hard? It could be due to using butter instead of ghee or baking it for too long.
- How do I keep ghrayba crispy and soft? To ensure crispiness, use cold or room-temperature ghee instead of butter and make sure it’s cold before use. Don’t overbake, and remove it as soon as the base starts to turn golden. Let it cool completely before transferring to maintain its soft and crispy texture.
- Can I replace ghee with butter? It’s not recommended because butter contains water, which makes the ghrayba less crispy.
- Why does ghrayba crack? The dough may not have been kneaded well enough or it didn’t rest long enough before shaping.
- How do I keep ghrayba fresh? Store it in an airtight container in a dry place to maintain its crispness.
- What are the healthy ingredient alternatives? Almond flour can replace white flour, and coconut sugar or stevia can replace powdered sugar.
Let me know if you need further assistance!
Nutritional Values of Each Ingredient in Ghrayba
- Clarified Butter (1 cup - approximately 200 grams)
- Calories: 1800 kcal
- Fat: 200 grams (of which 120 grams are saturated fat)
- Protein: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Benefits: A rich source of energy-boosting healthy fats, but high in calories, so it should be consumed in moderation.
- White Flour (2 cups - approximately 250 grams)
- Calories: 850 kcal
- Fat: 2 grams
- Protein: 22 grams
- Carbohydrates: 180 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Benefits: Provides the necessary carbohydrates for energy but is low in fiber.
- Powdered Sugar (½ cup - approximately 60 grams)
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 60 grams (pure sugar)
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Benefits: Adds sweetness and quick energy, but its consumption should be limited to avoid a spike in blood sugar.
- Powdered Milk (2 tablespoons - approximately 20 grams) (Optional)
- Calories: 50 kcal
- Fat: 2 grams
- Protein: 4 grams
- Carbohydrates: 5 grams
- Calcium: Approximately 70 mg
- Benefits: Adds calcium and protein, boosting the nutritional value.
- Almonds or Pistachios (for decoration - approximately 5 grams per piece)
- Calories: 7-10 kcal per piece
- Fat: 0.5-1 gram (healthy unsaturated fat)
- Protein: 0.2-0.3 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0.5 grams
- Fiber: 0.1 grams
- Benefits: Rich in healthy fats and protein, adding nutritional value and flavor.
- Vanilla (½ teaspoon - approximately 2 grams)
- Calories: Almost negligible (less than 5 calories)
- Benefits: Enhances flavor without adding significant calories.
- Pinch of Salt (less than 1 gram)
- Calories: 0 kcal
- Sodium: Approximately 300 mg
- Benefits: Balances the flavor and enhances the taste.
Nutritional Values of One Piece of Ghrayba (approximately 20 grams)
- Calories: 90-100 kcal (depending on added almonds or pistachios)
- Key Nutrients:
- Fat: 6-7 grams (of which 3-4 grams are saturated fat)
- Protein: 1-1.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 10-12 grams
- Fiber: 0.2-0.5 grams
- Sugar: 4-5 grams
- Sodium: 5-10 mg (from added salt)
Health Benefits
- A quick energy source due to the carbohydrates and fats content.
- Helps promote satiety due to the fat content, making it suitable as a small snack.
- Adding almonds or pistachios increases its nutritional value by providing healthy fats and protein.
- Ideal as an occasional treat for those who enjoy sweets, but should be eaten in moderation to avoid excess calories.
Conclusion:
With simple steps and precise measurements like cold clarified butter and fine powdered sugar, you can make delicious, melt-in-your-mouth Ghrayba! Always remember:
- Use a deep bowl to mix the ingredients (2 cups of white flour + 1 cup of clarified butter) with a hand whisk until well combined.
- Bake in a preheated oven (at 170°C) for only 14 minutes.
- Avoid replacing clarified butter with regular butter to maintain its signature crispiness.
- Store it in an airtight container after cooling, and enjoy the most delicious traditional Arabic sweet with an authentic heritage flavor!
