Skip to main content

Shortbread Rings (Gh'raybeh)

4.4

(12)

Found throughout the Middle East, this shortbread-style cookie remains white after baking. Some people make diamond-shaped or round cookies with this dough, but the ring shapes are more common.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 1/4 hours

  • Yield

    Makes 34 cookies

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon rose water, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon orange-flower water, or to taste
34 whole blanched almonds or shelled natural pistachios (1/4 cup)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 300°F.

    Step 2

    Beat together flour, sugar, butter, shortening, cardamom, rose water, and orange-flower water in a bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until a smooth dough forms.

    Step 3

    Roll dough into walnut-size balls, then roll each ball into a 5-inch rope. Form each rope into a 2-inch circle, overlapping ends slightly. Press a nut into each cookie at overlap.

    Step 4

    Arrange cookies, 1 inch apart, on 2 ungreased baking sheets and bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until dry to the touch but still white, 20 to 22 minutes total. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool.

Read More
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Chicken breasts reach their full potential in this spicy, saucy stir-fry with blistered green beans.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
The secret to extra-fluffy stack? A splash of cold, bubbly seltzer.