Gurabia Recipe – Easy Kitchen Guide

By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on January 3, 2024 | Last Updated on January 3, 2024

Gurabia is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that has been enjoyed in the region for centuries. This popular recipe is made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, and flour, and is often served with a rich syrup or honey. Gurabia is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is sure to please everyone.

What is Gurabia?

Gurabia is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that has been enjoyed for generations. It is a light, sweet pastry made with a mixture of butter, sugar, and flour. 

This recipe is the best to have one Gurabia at home. You just have to make the dough rolled out into thin sheets and cut into small pieces, which are then deep-fried until golden brown. The fried pieces are then drenched in a syrup or honey-based sauce. Gurabia is a popular dessert in many Middle Eastern countries, and it is often served with a dollop of ice cream or nuts.

What Does it Taste Like?

Gurabia is a light, sweet pastry with a crunchy texture. The fried pieces are crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. The syrup or honey-based sauce adds a rich sweetness that complements the savory buttery notes of the pastry. The combination of textures and flavors makes it a truly unique dessert.

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The Ingredients

• Artisanal Unsalted Butter, Gently Softened: Acts as the primary fat component, providing richness, moisture, and flavor to the Gurabia. It helps create a tender texture in the cookie.
• Organic Powdered Sugar, Finely Sifted: Sweetens the Gurabia while also contributing to its crumbly and delicate texture. The fine texture ensures even distribution within the dough.
• Free-Range Egg Yolk, Carefully Separated: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together, contributing to the cookie’s structure and texture.
• Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor profile of the Gurabia with its aromatic and rich vanilla notes, adding depth to the cookie’s taste.
• Stone-Ground All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough, providing structure and stability. It helps in achieving the desired cookie consistency.
• Finely Crushed Organic Walnuts or Almonds (Optional): Adds a nutty flavor and texture variation to the Gurabia. It provides a delightful crunch if included.
• Powdered Sugar for a Delicate Dusting Finish: Used as a final touch to lightly dust the Gurabia, adding a touch of sweetness and a decorative finish to the cookies.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is optimal for baking the Gurabia cookies.
• Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it. This ensures the cookies won’t stick to the sheet while baking.

Step 2: Prepare Ingredients

• Ensure the butter is softened at room temperature, allowing for easier creaming.
• Finely sift the organic powdered sugar to eliminate any lumps and achieve a smooth texture in the dough.
• Carefully separate the egg yolk for use in the recipe.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

• In a mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and finely sifted organic powdered sugar.
• Cream the mixture together until it turns light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the mixture for a softer texture in the cookies.

Step 4: Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla Extract

• Add the separated egg yolk and the pure Madagascar vanilla extract into the creamed butter-sugar mixture.
• Beat the ingredients well until they are thoroughly combined, ensuring a consistent flavor throughout the dough.

Step 5: Incorporate Flour and Nuts (Optional)

• Gradually add the stone-ground all-purpose flour into the mixture while continuing to blend.
• If using, incorporate the finely crushed organic walnuts or almonds into the dough. Mix until all ingredients form a smooth, cohesive dough.

Step 6: Shape the Dough

• Portion the dough and shape it into small balls or any desired shape. Rolling them into rounds or flattening them slightly with a fork adds a decorative touch.

Step 7: Arrange on Baking Sheet

• Place the shaped dough on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring some space between each cookie to allow for expansion during baking.

Step 8: Bake Gurabia

• Put the baking sheet into the preheated oven.
• Bake the Gurabia cookies for approximately 12-15 minutes or until they achieve a lightly golden hue around the edges. This indicates they are properly baked.

Step 9: Cool and Dust with Powdered Sugar

• Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
• Transfer the cooled Gurabia cookies onto a wire rack. Before serving, delicately dust them with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Your homemade Gurabia cookies are now ready to be savored! Pair them with tea or coffee for a delightful treat.

Tips

Making Gurabia is easy and fun, but there are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing this delicious dessert.

• Be sure to roll out the dough as evenly as possible. This will ensure that all the pieces of pastry are the same size and cook evenly.

• Make sure the oil is hot before adding the pieces of dough. If the oil is not hot enough, the pastry will not cook properly.

• Allow the pieces of pastry to cool before dipping them in the syrup. This will help prevent the syrup from burning or sticking to the pastry.

• When deep-frying the pastry, be sure to keep an eye on it. The pieces of dough cook quickly and can burn easily.

• Feel free to experiment with the syrup or honey. You can add spices and other ingredients to the syrup to give the pastry a unique flavor.

Nutrition Information

Gurabia is a sweet dessert that is high in fat and calories. One serving of Gurabia contains approximately 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, and 25 grams of carbohydrates.

What to Serve With Gurabia Recipe?

Gurabia is a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that can be served with a variety of accompaniments. Here are a few ideas for serving Gurabia:

• Ice Cream: Serve the Gurabia with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an extra sweet treat.

• Fresh Fruit: Top the pastry with fresh berries or chopped fruit for a refreshing and healthy accompaniment.

• Nuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts over the top of the pastry for a crunchy and savory addition.

• Whipped Cream: Top the Gurabia with a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent finish.

• Syrup: Drizzle the pastry with a sweet syrup for an extra layer of flavor.

• Yogurt: Serve the Gurabia with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a cool and creamy accompaniment.

How to Store Leftover Gurabia?

Leftover Gurabia can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the pastry in the oven or microwave before serving.

What Other Substitute Can I Use in Gurabia?

If you don’t have all of the ingredients on hand for Gurabia, you can substitute a few of the ingredients for a different flavor and texture. Here are a few ideas for substitutions:

• Butter: You can substitute coconut oil or vegetable oil for the butter.

• Sugar: You can substitute coconut sugar or date sugar for the regular sugar.

• Flour: You can substitute almond flour or oat flour for the all-purpose flour.

• Oil: You can substitute vegetable oil or olive oil for the oil used for frying.

• Syrup or Honey: You can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar for the syrup or honey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Gurabia is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that is easy to make and absolutely delicious. The combination of buttery pastry, sweet syrup, and crunchy nuts makes this a truly unique and flavorful treat. Whether you’re looking for an indulgent dessert or a light snack, Gurabia is sure to please everyone.

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