Ghraybeh or Lebanese Shortbread Cookies
We’re exploring Middle Eastern cooking today and these Ghraybeh or Lebanese Shortbread Cookies are a delightful way to end a meal!
Ghraybeh or Lebanese Shortbread
When I think of Middle Eastern desserts, I conjure up visions of delicate, flaky fillo, orange water or honey-infused syrup and lots of nuts. Knowing that two-thirds of the current household wouldn’t go for any exotic ingredients, I had a challenge on my hands…till I came up with Graybeh or Graybeh, a Lebanese shortbread cookie.
Simple as can be, browned butter was mixed with powdered sugar, flavored with vanilla and a drop of almond extract, then flour. No eggs, no leavening, no worries.
I used my cookie disher (like a mini-ice cream scoop) and placed mounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet, dotted each with a nut and popped them into the oven. So if you love shortbread, these little gems will hit the spot.
Baking Tips
A couple notes: Use premium butter. With so few ingredients, a cheapo brand will result in less than spectacular cookies. I used Kerrygold for these.
With the absence of leavening, these cookies will not rise nor spread. Whatever size or shape you place on your baking sheet will be what comes out of your oven.
Also, blanched almonds are one of the typical toppings, but the only blanched almonds I could find were slivered, so I went with the non-blanched version.
Pistachios are another option…I think I munched on many more than made their way onto the cookies. And, by the way, if your hubby or children aren’t fan of nuts, you can do as Mr. Skinny Chick did. Remove the nut and pop into your mouth. Swallow and repeat.
Thanks to Norma, of Allspice and Nutmeg, for inspiring me with her recipe.
More Middle Eastern Recipes:
- Homemade Labneh Cheese – The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Fried Honey Citrus Cakes – Neighborfood
- Greek Baklava
- Homemade Pita
- Honey Glazed Chicken Kabobs
Ghraybeh or Shortbread Cookies
Recipe from Allspice and Nutmeg
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, browned
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 3/4-2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 drop almond extract, optional
- Whole almonds to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300º.
- Cook the butter in a saucepan on medium-low until the butter is a golden color.
- Remove from the heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
- Pour the powdered sugar into a large bowl and add the butter. With a hand mixer on low speed, mix until it’s combined and the sugar is dissolved. Mix in the vanilla and almond extract (if using).
- Turn off the mixer and add the flour a little at a time stirring till it forms a ball.
- Form balls of dough and press an almond in the top if desired on a parchment-lined surface.
- Bake 13-15 minutes on parchment-lined baking sheets, they shouldn't brown.
- Cool very well before removing from baking sheet.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
15Serving Size:
2 cookiesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 230Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 98mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 3g
53 Comments on “Ghraybeh or Lebanese Shortbread Cookies”
Thank you so much for the idea with the icecream scooper! That helped me to make the perfectly shaped ghraybeh.
I followed this recipe exactly. I did add the almond and vanilla extract just before the flour as that step was omitted in the instructions. Still, these did not turn out like I expected. They have a very weird texture. The Lebanese cookies I grew up on are crunchy. These didn’t taste that bad but something is not right about this recipe. Maybe softened butter instead of browned? and granulated sugar vs confectioners.
Thanks for your feedback, John. I have never tasted the authentic recipe, so I’m not sure about the texture. Maybe baking them a little longer would give you a crisper texture. I’ll double check the instructions with my source and edit to get the vanilla added in (you put it in at the proper spot).
What a lovely treat for any moment in the day !
What a nice version of shorbread cookies!! Love it!
So simple, I love it! I don’t bake that often, but I’m definitely making these this month!
Fabulous cookies!! I love your comment about cheapo butter… LOL!
Easy and delicious cookies! Storing these in my cookie monster file!
This is my favorite theme yet for Sunday supper. I have about 20 new recipes to try…including these cookies!
I’ve heard of Kerrygold before but never used it. Guess it’s time to break into ye old piggybank!
Shortbread is the best! I’ve never heard of ghraybeh cookies, and we have two versions this week on #SS. So now I really have to make them. I agree that Kerrygold butter would shine here!
Browned butter – never think to use that. Such pretty cookies! They sound delectable – good job with figuring out what the family will like.
Beautiful cookies! Can you imagine having these ready for a cookie exchange? Perfect.