A traditional Algerian cookie posted on Radia‘s blog called twabaa; the ring shape of these Algerian cookies is similar to the Lebanese kaak flavored with anise or mahlab. The dough is richer (with eggs) but the cookies are plain and rather crunchy. Radia flavored hers with lemon rind and vanilla and coated them with an egg wash.
INGREDIENTS: 30 cookies
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of oil (light olive oil is best here)
- 1 cup of sugar
- rind of one or more oranges
- 1 1/2 tsp of vanilla or orange blossom water
- enough flour to form a thick but moist and sticky dough ( I used about 2 1/2 cups of unbleached all-purpose)
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- dash of salt
Glaze: 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 tbsp of unsalted butter, several tablespoons of fresh orange juice, 1 tsp of orange rind: Melt over low heat and dunk the cookies one by one in the glaze.
METHOD:
- Beat the eggs and sugar for a few minutes until a bit thick; add the oil in a thin stream while beating, add the orange rind and orange blossom water or vanilla. Combine the flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and add the dry mixture to the batter until combined.
- Using a 1-inch cookie dough scooper or a tablespoon, form even-sized balls of dough; poke in the middle with the handle of a spoon to form a hole and place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated 350F oven (180C) for 15 minutes or so until the cookies are lightly golden. If glazing, dunk in the glaze one by one. Cool.
26 Comments
Une petite douceur étonnante et pleine de saveurs originales….
A novel way to poke a hole in the cookies, ideal for a Greek coffee (little bite). I’d still use regular olive oil…love the flavour in baked treats.
These look wonderful!
Beautiful cookies! Delicate flavor….
Loved your creative recipe. Have bookmarked this page…I definitely have to try it out…Its an awesome cookie
délicieusement parfumés!! il faut que je teste ta version à l’huile d’olive!! bonne soirée!!
Marvellous,flavourful cookies..would love to have with a cup of coffee.
Awsome cookies! I bet they are really addictive and go perfectly well with a cup of black coffee.
cheeers,
Rosa
I know I would love these.
I predict that these cookies will be a hit at our Thanksgiving office party. Although the cookies appear (in the pictures) to be a pastry chef’s work, the recipe and directions seem simple an straightforward. Truth be told, I’m fearful of baking, but nothing horrible has happened when I’ve baked (except for burning here and there).
Again, you’re an inspiration.
Best,
Alaiyo
I love coming here! Everything is so new and exciting. At first I thought they were doughnuts. I have baked cakes a lot with olive oil but never cookies – love the trick making the hole in the cookie. Would’ve taken me years to figure that out!
So much nicer than choc-chip! Fabulous recipe and instructions as always.
Plain cookies like these always move me somehow. They are everywhere – in southern Italy we flavour them with aniseed as well. I love the orange twist.
The hint of orange in these must make them so refreshing to bite into!
They look like little doughnuts – I really like the combination of orange and olive oil – simple and traditional, but so good!
Hello! I a new to your blog. I am intrigued about Lebanese cooking (I am Mediterranean: from Italy, and I know there are a lot of common themes with our cuisines, like the use of olive oil, even in desserts). These cookies look wonderful!
The ring shape looks great! These must be so deliciously fragrant, and the glaze looks fantastic.
This a wonderful and flavorful recipe as always Joumana. I know I wuld love love love these with a vuppa. And a special thanks for answering thwe mystery of how I am to get a hole in the middle of the donut with no special gizmos
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Hi Joumana,
I normally use olive oil in savory dishes. I need to branch out a bit. These cookies look delish!
On a different note, I think the TV dinner challenge idea is excellent! Sign us up, let me know what the rules are and the date! Can’t wait.
Cheers,
Heguiberto
Oooh, how I wish I had these to enjoy with a big cup of tea. They look splendid!
Nice.. the olive on the doughnuts looks good… so mouth watering. love this post.
How delicately flavored these are and how wonderful they look. I often crave these cookies – remember them from the Lebanese bakery next to my parents home. Never tried making them so will have to give it a go now!
These look lovely and like the orange flavor. Always so curious about sweets with olive oil.
these look lovely, i will try them, but i have a question, do you beat the eggs and the surger by electronic mixer, then fold in the dry ingredients?
@Nancy: yes
i like the look and sound of these cookies.! i love the basic flavors!