Aqras Helweh | Sweet Syrian Cookies
Learn to make Aqras Helweh, the delicious aromatic Syrian cookies made from scratch with aromatic spices and sesame seeds.
Servings: 12 cookies
Calories: 147.11kcal
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (or brown flour)
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds powder
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 6 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 pinch baking powder
- 1 pinch baking soda
- salt to taste
- 5 tablespoon ghee
- ½ cup lukewarm water plus 2 tbsp
To Coat the Aqras
- sesame seeds
Instructions
Prepare the dough
- Take a large bowl and add dry ingredients and whisk to combine.2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds powder, ½ teaspoon cardamom powder, 6 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, 1 pinch baking powder, 1 pinch baking soda, salt to taste
- Stir in the ghee and the lukewarm water and rub into the flour.5 tablespoon ghee, ½ cup lukewarm water
- Knead the dough until soft and not sticky. Cover and rest the dough for an hour.
- Run the dough through the idiyappam press with a medium-holed plate (from the puttu maker) in small batches (I guess only Keralites will understand this step) Or use a meat grinder if you have one. (optional step)
- Divide the dough into equal balls (about 9 to 12)
Shape
- Add some sesame seeds to a plate (you will keep adding to this as needed)sesame seeds
- Take one piece of the divided dough and work on it between your palms like you do chapatis (ensure there are no cracks and its smooth all over)
- Press the ball gently with your fingers and dip one side of the dough on a sesame plate (this is to coat one side only)
- Place the sesame-coated side down and start rolling it (not too thin, nor very thick - the recommended size is 4mm thickness)
- Flip the flattened dough to have the sesame coated side up.
- Use a fork to poke holes all over the sesame-coated side.
Stovetop bakers:
- Place a non-stick pan over a heat diffuser or flat pan. You will need to have a lid with a hole for the non-stick pan.
- Place the rolled dough sesame-coated side up (as many as the pan can fit comfortably) and cover with the lid.
- Wait for 5 minutes, and turn the aqras to cook the other side. Wait for another 5 to 6 minutes and remove the aqras from the pan to a flat plate. Let it cool completely.
Oven Bakers
- Place the aqras on a baking sheet with the sesame side up. Bake in preheated oven at 200 - 220℃ for 9 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer to an airtight container and this can be stored at room temperature. Serve with milk, or chai or just snack on them.
Nutrition
Calories: 147.11kcal | Carbohydrates: 22.24g | Protein: 2.13g | Fat: 5.98g
